Girsberg Castle

Girsberg Castle, locally known as Château du Girsberg or Burg Girsberg, lies north of the village of Ribeauvillé in the Haut-Rhin department in France. This area is also known as the Southern Alsace or the Vosges.

Girsberg Castle is one of the 3, so-called, Ribeauvillé Castles. The others are; St. Ulrich Castle, which is opposite and within viewing distance and Haut-Ribeaupierre Castle, which lies further up the mountain.

The castle was built by the Lords of Ribeaupierre during the first half of the 13th century on a small rocky ridge. The Lords of Girsberg became its owners in 1316 and gave the castle their name. They peacefully kept the castle until 1422 when their lineage died out. In 1513 it was still inhabited by Hermann Banweiler, keeper of the castle. From then on the castle was gradually abandoned.

This small castle is a great example of how to make maximum use of a site. Its plan is simple; a pentagonal keep, with projecting embossings, protects the residential building which follows the shape of the rock. Downwards, to the east, is a bailey. The entrance, formerly equipped with a drawbridge, was adapted to the use of firearms.

This is a very nice castle, offering great views of the surrounding countryside and nearby St. Ulrich Castle. The castle can be accessed but you have to climb a ca. 3 meters high rock face. The keep is inaccessible as its entrance is on a higher floor level.

All 3 Ribeauvillé Castles are only reachable by walking some quite strenuous paths. Prepare to spend a couple of hours if you want to visit all 3 of them.

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