# Oberhaslach

> commune in Bas-Rhin, France

**Wikidata**: [Q21591](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21591)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberhaslach)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oberhaslach

## Summary
Oberhaslach is a commune located in the Bas-Rhin department within the Grand Est region of northeastern France. It serves as the administrative setting for several historic medieval castles, including the ruined Château du Grand Ringelstein, and is part of the arrondissement of Molsheim.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type**: Commune in France.
- **Department**: Bas-Rhin (French administrative district of the European Collectivity of Alsace).
- **Region**: Grand Est (implied by Bas-Rhin location in Alsace).
- **Arrondissement**: Molsheim.
- **Country**: France (officially République française).
- **Coordinates**: Latitude 48.550555555556, Longitude 7.3297222222222.
- **Population**: Historical records show values of 1759, 1763, 1799, 1780, 1769, 1760, 1753, 1743, and 1733.
- **Official Website**: https://www.commune-oberhaslach.fr.
- **Historical Context**: Located in the former district of Unterelsaß (1871–1918) within the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen.
- **Notable Landmarks**:
  - Château du Grand Ringelstein: Ruined castle founded circa 1125.
  - Château du Nideck: Castle founded circa 1250.
  - Château du Petit-Ringelstein: Castle founded circa 1200.
  - Château de Hohenstein: 13th-century castle founded circa 1200.
- **Image Source**: File "Nideck01.jpg" by AnRo0002, licensed under CC0 (Public Domain).
- **Wikipedia Title**: Oberhaslach.
- **Sitelink Count**: 43.

## FAQs
**What is the administrative status of Oberhaslach?**
Oberhaslach is a commune, which is the lowest level of administrative division in France. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Bas-Rhin department and the arrondissement of Molsheim.

**Which historic castles are located in or near Oberhaslach?**
The commune is home to the ruined Château du Grand Ringelstein, established around 1125. It is also the location of the Château du Nideck (c. 1250), Château du Petit-Ringelstein (c. 1200), and the 13th-century Château de Hohenstein (c. 1200).

**Where is Oberhaslach situated geographically?**
The commune is located in the Bas-Rhin department in the Grand Est region of northeastern France. Its specific geographic coordinates are 48.550555555556° N latitude and 7.3297222222222° E longitude.

**What is the historical context of the region regarding the German Empire?**
From 1871 to 1918, the area was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire. During this period, it was known as the central district of Unterelsaß.

**How can one access official information about the commune?**
Official information and services for the commune are accessible through its dedicated website at https://www.commune-oberhaslach.fr.

## Why It Matters
Oberhaslach matters as a preserved example of the complex historical layers of the Alsace region, serving as a living record of the transition between French and German sovereignty. Its significance is anchored in its dense concentration of medieval fortifications, particularly the Château du Grand Ringelstein, which dates back to the 12th century and offers insight into the feudal architecture of the era. As a commune within the Bas-Rhin department, it contributes to the cultural and administrative fabric of the European Collectivity of Alsace, maintaining a distinct identity while being part of the broader French Republic. The presence of multiple castles founded between the 12th and 13th centuries makes it a critical site for understanding the military and social history of the region during the Middle Ages.

## Notable For
- **Medieval Heritage**: Hosts four distinct castles founded between 1125 and 1250, including the specific ruin of Château du Grand Ringelstein.
- **Historical Borderlands**: Located in a region that shifted between French and German control, specifically part of the Unterelsaß district from 1871 to 1918.
- **Architectural Diversity**: Features castles from different centuries, ranging from the 12th-century Grand Ringelstein to the 13th-century Hohenstein.
- **Administrative Integration**: Functions as a commune within the arrondissement of Molsheim, a key subdivision of the Bas-Rhin department.
- **Open Access Documentation**: Its primary image (Nideck01.jpg) is available under a CC0 public domain license, facilitating widespread educational use.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Oberhaslach is a commune situated in the Bas-Rhin department, which is part of the European Collectivity of Alsace in France. The commune is administratively attached to the arrondissement of Molsheim. Geographically, it is positioned at latitude 48.550555555556 and longitude 7.3297222222222. As a commune, it represents the fundamental territorial subdivision of France, a status established in 1789. The entity is recognized in the Wikidata database with a sitelink count of 43 and is titled "Oberhaslach" on Wikipedia.

### Historical Context and Regional Evolution
The region surrounding Oberhaslach has a complex political history, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From May 20, 1871, to 1918, the area was part of the imperial territory of Elsaß-Lothringen (Alsace-Lorraine) within the German Empire. During this specific era, the region was known as Unterelsaß, serving as the central district of the imperial territory. Following the end of the German Empire, the area returned to French administration, becoming part of the Bas-Rhin department, which was established on March 4, 1790. The department's headquarters are located in Strasbourg, and it is a key component of the modern French state.

### Architectural Heritage and Castles
Oberhaslach is distinguished by a high density of medieval castles, many of which are now ruins or historic sites.
- **Château du Grand Ringelstein**: This ruined castle is located specifically in Oberhaslach. It was founded around the year 1125 and is situated in the Bas-Rhin département.
- **Château du Nideck**: Founded circa 1250, this castle is a notable landmark in the area.
- **Château du Petit-Ringelstein**: Established around 1200, this structure is located in the Bas-Rhin department.
- **Château de Hohenstein**: Another 13th-century castle founded around 1200, located in Bas-Rhin.
These structures represent a significant concentration of fortifications from the High Middle Ages, providing a tangible link to the feudal history of the region.

### Demographics and Data
Historical population data for Oberhaslach indicates fluctuations over time, with recorded figures including 1733, 1743, 1753, 1759, 1760, 1763, 1769, 1780, and 1799. These numbers reflect the demographic changes in the commune over the centuries. The commune operates within the broader context of the French Republic, which has a population of over 68 million and utilizes the Euro as its currency.

### Digital Presence and Media
The commune maintains an official digital presence through its website, https://www.commune-oberhaslach.fr. Visual documentation of the area is available through Wikimedia Commons, specifically the file "Nideck01.jpg." This image was created by the artist AnRo0002 and is released under a CC0 license, placing it in the public domain. The image is frequently used to represent the commune and its historic sites, such as the Château du Nideck. The entity is linked to 43 different language versions of Wikipedia, indicating its recognition across various linguistic communities.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. dataset of postal codes in France. 2018
3. INSEE code
4. répertoire géographique des communes
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Annuaire de service-public.fr
7. Recensement de la population 2015. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies. 2017
8. Populations légales 2016
9. Populations légales 2017
10. Populations légales 2018
11. Populations légales 2019
12. Populations légales 2020
13. Populations légales 2021
14. Populations de référence 2022
15. Populations de référence 2023
16. [Code officiel géographique](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/3363419)
17. National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
18. GeoNames
19. [répertoire géographique des communes. 2015](https://wxs-telechargement.ign.fr/83edtfdyqte031y0ra49d2e3/telechargement/inspire/RGC-2015-01$RGC2015/file/RGC2015.7z)
20. [2016](https://data.geopf.fr/telechargement/download/GEOFLA/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28/GEOFLA_2-2_COMMUNE_SHP_LAMB93_FXX_2016-06-28.7z)
21. [Code officiel géographique. 2020](https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/8442dfae-a878-49c6-be4c-20689b1c337c)
22. [Code officiel géographique. 2017](https://www.insee.fr/fr/information/2560698)