Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Castles · Palaces · Manor Houses
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© 2023
Majestically perched on a prominent rocky outcrop near Orschwiller, Haut-Koenigsbourg stands as a stone symbol of Alsatian history. Watching over the Rhine plain from a height of 757 meters, it is today one of the most visited sights in France.
The Fortress's Double Life
Our tour opened our eyes to the fascinating double life of this fortress: Haut-Koenigsbourg actually tells two completely different stories. The first is a purely medieval chronicle of stone and sieges. The second only begins at the threshold of the 20th century, when Emperor Wilhelm II had the ruined walls recreated as a monumental prestige project.
From the Hohenstaufens to the Habsburgs
Built in the first half of the 12th century as a Hohenstaufen imperial castle, the site was strategically perfect for controlling trade routes in the Upper Rhine Valley. After eventful centuries and its destruction during the Thirty Years' War by the Swedes, it was only the era of Romanticism that awakened the ruins from their long slumber. From the battlements today, the view is simply breathtaking: to the north, Strasbourg Cathedral; to the south, the peaks of the Bernese Alps.
A Gift for Wilhelm II
In 1899, the city of Sélestat presented the ruins as a gift to Emperor Wilhelm II. For the monarch, this was an opportunity to create a symbol of the empire's continuity. Between 1901 and 1908, he commissioned architect Bodo Ebhardt with an extensive restoration. The result was a total work of art that, down to the details of the furniture and wall paintings, evokes the vision of a glorious age of chivalry.
Bodo Ebhardt’s Keen Intuition
Ebhardt handled the existing structure with care, ensuring the castle remained recognizable as an ensemble that had grown over time. Particularly impressive are the massive bastions built as a response to the advent of artillery. Anyone stepping through the Lion's Gate today dives into a world full of detail: from the lady's chambers to the magnificent Great Hall.
Our Recommendation
Visit Haut-Koenigsbourg during the week and take advantage of one of the professional guided tours. It is only through the explanations that Bodo Ebhardt's architectural masterpiece and the political background of the imperial reconstruction truly become clear. A spectacular panorama is included as a bonus!
