Le Grand Ried, en Alsace

Diebolsheim the 4 flowers village

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The village owes its "flower decoration" to Father Wendling who became parish-preist in 1942. He was a devoted, courageous and modest man and that made him popular and beloved all over the place. Just one example : after World War II, eh neutralized more than 4000 mines in the fields and forest around the village. He usednto say : "Better risk my life than the one of a family-man".
After, he devoted himself to beautify the village. He decides to restaure the "Grotto of Lourdes" which is at the entrance of the village, first. He strarted digging, clearing, building, planting flowers and bushes, and soon, the grotto became a charming place to go to and pray.
Little by little the inhabitants of the village took model on him. Flowers appeared at the windows and balconies of the farm-houses. Father Wendling was also helped by the municipality. The village soon won prizes in local or national contests. Several times, Father Wendling had to go to Paris to be rewarded with the "First Prize for flowery villages" from Minister Dumas.
To honor Father Wendling, the village gave his name to one of the streets.