Altschweier

Most of Bühl is located in the flat area of the Rhine Valley at an elevation of 300–400 feet above sea level bordering the foothill region to the east.

Bühlertal is a town alongside the Bühlot stream further extending into the Northern Black Forest than Altschweier.

An additional 20th century county road connects Bühl with Altschweier extending even further into the Bühler Valley and the Black Forest.

The hills and their high quality soil offer perfect conditions for growing a variety of fruits.

Wine and plums are only able to support a much reduced number of full-time farmers today compared with previous centuries.

The population of Altschweier was much smaller then, possibly only one or two hundred people, originally farmers skilled in wine making and other related crafts.

The larger historic region of Ortenau, formerly Mortenau during the early days of the Holy Roman Empire, was a region settled by Alemans, reaching from the rivers of Bleich in the south to the Murg in the north, the Black Forest forming a natural border to the east, the Rhine river a natural border to the west.

It has completely lost its significance with the rise of cotton imported from other countries in the early 19th century.

The sound of tractors can be heard once in a while; the noises and smell of cows, pigs, horses or chicken however have stopped.

The incline and decline of the local industry, bad or good years for farmers due to reoccurring changes in climate and times of war and peace have had their impact on the population, with waves of immigrants populating the region or emigrants leaving the region for better opportunities.

The division of the village has its roots in the political history of the area, ownership by different local and regional aristocrat families and rulers, the margraves of Baden and the knights of Windeck Castle as the most important rulers, respectively, the Bühlot river serving as a border to mark the territories, which also had its impact on its ecclesiastical status.

Due to people moving to Altschweier, the village has a small, but sizable population of beliefs other than Catholics and Lutherans/Protestants.