The Château de Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Alsace’s crowned jewel
Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, a true jewel of Alsace, boasts an exceptional location and historical heritage, making it the region’s flagship tourist attraction.
Nestled in the heart of the Alsatian vineyard, it is majestically perched on a rocky promontory, offering breathtaking views across the vast Alsatian plain.
Considered a superb example of medieval military architecture, was meticulously restored in the early 20th century under the patronage of the last German emperor.
Protected by its impressive walls, it immerses visitors in the opulent atmosphere of centuries past, thanks to a meticulously recreated interior designed to evoke the spirit of the 16th and 17th centuries. Magnificent collections of furniture and weapons adorn the rooms, offering a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the castle’s former inhabitants and its strategic importance throughout history.
Once a haunt of highwaymen
Once a haven for highwaymen, the imposing Staufenberg fortress was built around 1147 by the influential Hohenstaufen dynasty to control the strategic routes crossing the Alsatian plain.
Renamed Königsburg, meaning “royal castle,” in 1192, it quickly became, under the leadership of Antoine de Hohenstein, a notorious den of bandits and brigands who preyed on unwary travellers who dared venture onto the plain.
Swift and ruthless, Hohenstein and his men captured their victims, imprisoned them in the castle dungeons, and demanded exorbitant ransoms for their release.
This dark chapter in the castle’s history ended in October 26, 1462, when the cities of Colmar, Strasbourg, and Basel joined forces to besiege and destroy Hohenstein and his men, restoring peace and security to the region.
The Habsburg’s property
The Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg, of the illustrious House of Austria, acquired the castle in 1517 and entrusted it to various noble families. It was in this way that the Counts of Tieren undertook the reconstruction of the castle and the modernisation of the defence systems of this strategic stronghold. The fortress was elevated to the royal status of Hohkönigsbourg. With a garrison of 150 soldiers, Hohkönigsbourg stood as an imposing symbol of Habsburg power and authority in the region.
Destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War
Despite its formidable defences, the fortress succumbed to the relentless bombardment of Swedish artillery during the tumultuous Thirty Years’ War.
In 1633, the Swedes besieged and eventually stormed the stronghold, leaving destruction in their wake. Pillaged, dismantled, and burned, the once-mighty Haut-Königsbourg Castle, the last Alsatian vestige of the House of Austria, lay in ruins at the end of the war in 1663.
For the next two centuries, the fortress fell into oblivion and likely served as a stone quarry after the French Revolution.
However, the ruins were officially listed as a Historical Monument in 1862, and the neighbouring town of Sélestat embarked on an ambitious restoration project. Unfortunately, this project proved financially prohibitive, forcing Sélestat to abandon the restoration work.
It was only after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71, during which Alsace was annexed by the German Empire, that the fortress was saved. In 1899, Sélestat presented the fortress to Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albrecht von Hohenzollern, the last German emperor and King of Prussia.
Wilhelm II restored the Château de Haut-Kœnigsbourg to its past grandeur
Wilhelm II embarked on a comprehensive restoration program for Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, the true aim of which was to consolidate German dominance over Alsace and demonstrate the power of the German Empire to Europe!
To achieve this goal, Wilhelm II spared no expense to ensure that Haut-Kœnigsbourg would be as imposing and magnificent as possible. Undeterred by criticism that the restoration project was too ambitious, he entrusted the task to the German architect Bodo Ebhardt, renowned for his expertise in medieval architecture.
Ebhardt meticulously studied the castle’s original structure, choosing to restore it to its 16th-century splendour. Despite some deviations from the initial plans that sparked controversy, such as the reconstruction of a square keep instead of the historically accurate round one, the restoration work progressed rapidly. The Haut-Kœnigsbourg Society, founded in 1904 and composed of eminent university professors, architects, and archaeologists, oversaw the interior decoration. It meticulously sought out objects and furnishings dating from the late Middle Ages to the Renaissance, sourced from regions such as Tyrol, Alsace, Lorraine, and Switzerland.
Thus, in 1906, the imperial eagle, a powerful symbol of German strength and authority, was reinstalled atop the tower.
Château de Haut-Kœnigsbourg, architectural jewel of Alsace
The castle reverted to French control after the First World War and was granted the prestigious status of “national palace,” undergoing restoration throughout the 20th century. Considered a jewel of medieval architecture and an Alsatian national treasure, Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle was listed as a Historical Monument in 1993. In 2007, the Haut-Rhin General Council assumed the management of this iconic site. With its imposing ramparts, majestic towers, and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle is an essential stop for anyone exploring Alsace!
Department of Bas-Rhin – Orschwiller
Coordinates: Lat 48.319551 – Long 7.350707
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Header by Wrtalya CC BY-SA 4.0 – Overlooking the Plain of Alsace by Patrick CC BY-SA 2.0 – Curtain wall by Meffo CC BY 3.0 – Detail architecture by Krzysztof Golik CC BY-SA 4.0 – Photo 4 by Olivier CC BY 2.0
