Vieux-Windstein Castle

Vieux-Windstein Castle, locally known as Château du Vieux-Windstein or Burg Altwindstein, lies above the village of Windstein, in the Bas-Rhin department in France. This area is also known as the Northern Alsace or the Middle Vosges.

Windstein Castle was first mentioned in 1201. However, it was probably built by Frederick II, Duke of Swabia, in the first half of the 12th century and it served the Hohenstaufen dynasty from 1155 until 1250.

At the beginning of the 13th century, the lords of Windstein yielded land, located below their castle of Windstein, to Neubourg Abbey to build a castle. Only then did the castle get the denomination Vieux-Windstein ('Old-Windstein') or Hinterwindstein ('Posterior Windstein'). The new castle became known as Nouveau-Windstein ('New-Windstein') or Vorderwindstein ('Anterior Windstein').

In 1332 Vieux-Windstein was besieged by the troops of the bishop of Strasbourg because it had become a haunt of brigands. The troops mined the west side of the castle rock and eventually took the castle. It was dismantled afterwards. And despite a ban on rebuilding, it was rebuilt later that century. In 1515 it was burned down and passed to the Dürkheim family. The castle was reported to be in ruins well before 1664.

The semi-troglodyte Vieux-Windstein Castle occupies 2 vertiginous rocky spurs. A succession of doors and pits allows access to the south platform. On it are the remains of a Romanesque chapel. A residential tower is leaning against the 2nd rock. At the top of it is built a pentagonal keep. Below, to the east, are preserved the remains of a residential building. The base of the south rock is flanked by a well some 40 meters deep.

Vieux-Windstein Castle is freely accessible. Although the remains are scarce, this is still a very nice castle to discover. Nouveau-Windstein Castle is of course nearby.

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Vieux-Windstein Castle

Vieux-Windstein Castle, locally known as Château du Vieux-Windstein or Burg Altwindstein, lies above the village of Windstein, in the Bas-Rhin department in France. This area is also known as the Northern Alsace or the Middle Vosges.

Windstein Castle was first mentioned in 1201. However, it was probably built by Frederick II, Duke of Swabia, in the first half of the 12th century and it served the Hohenstaufen dynasty from 1155 until 1250.

At the beginning of the 13th century, the lords of Windstein yielded land, located below their castle of Windstein, to Neubourg Abbey to build a castle. Only then did the castle get the denomination Vieux-Windstein ('Old-Windstein') or Hinterwindstein ('Posterior Windstein'). The new castle became known as Nouveau-Windstein ('New-Windstein') or Vorderwindstein ('Anterior Windstein').

In 1332 Vieux-Windstein was besieged by the troops of the bishop of Strasbourg because it had become a haunt of brigands. The troops mined the west side of the castle rock and eventually took the castle. It was dismantled afterwards. And despite a ban on rebuilding, it was rebuilt later that century. In 1515 it was burned down and passed to the Dürkheim family. The castle was reported to be in ruins well before 1664.

The semi-troglodyte Vieux-Windstein Castle occupies 2 vertiginous rocky spurs. A succession of doors and pits allows access to the south platform. On it are the remains of a Romanesque chapel. A residential tower is leaning against the 2nd rock. At the top of it is built a pentagonal keep. Below, to the east, are preserved the remains of a residential building. The base of the south rock is flanked by a well some 40 meters deep.

Vieux-Windstein Castle is freely accessible. Although the remains are scarce, this is still a very nice castle to discover. Nouveau-Windstein Castle is of course nearby.

Gallery

Details
Hits: 2776