Bastberg Hill

The Bastberg (Mont Saint-Sébastien, Bàschtbärri), also called Petit-Bastberg, is a summit located near the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park, in the commune of Bouxwiller. It culminates at 326 meters. The ecosystem is fragile due to human and natural intrusions, and has been the subject of conservation measures since 1989.

Location and topography
The Bastberg hill culminates at an altitude of 326 m. Not far away, between the Bastberg and Bouxwiller, is the hill of Galgenberg (Mont de la Potence). Although this peak is only 321 m high, its other name is Grand-Bastberg.

Geology
The soil of the Bastberg is made up of limestone rocks. Its structure is a syncline in synform. The most recent layers are superimposed on the oldest. But by the folding of the structure and by erosion, the oldest geological layers outcrop at its summit.

Fauna and flora
The vegetation is sparse and the hill has remarkable flora and fauna. There are orchids such as Ophrys fuciflora and Lizard orchid and insects such as swallowtail butterfly and praying mantis.

Environmental protection
Since 1 December 1989, part of the site has become a voluntary protected nature reserve covering 6.45 hectares. It is managed by the Conservatoire d'espaces naturels Alsace and is subject to measures aimed at perpetuating this ecosystem. Dated March 16, 2012, this area has been classified as a regional nature reserve (transformation of the status of RNVA into RNR) by deliberations of the Regional Council of Alsace.

The Bastberg site is classified by the DGAC and has been listed on aeronautical charts 8380-a-LF (aeromodelling). It is therefore known from military and civilian planes and helicopters: area 8020 currently.

Astronomical observation site
This hill has been the privileged place for astronomical observations for many years, mainly in the summer period (July - August), for the "Ciel d'Alsace" and "Nuits des étoiles"  events.

These demonstrations were made by the Némésis club of Saverne in partnership with other clubs (Artémis of Strasbourg, Astro Junior of Hœnheim) and associations, for many years before the year 2000; as with the 1999 solar eclipse which was almost completely unobserved, the sky covered with rain clouds.

Since 2006, the Hanau Astronomie club has been organizing them.

Legend
According to local traditions, the Bastberg was a sabbath place for the sorcerers of the region.