


I visited this castle in 2002.
Dreistein Castle lies west of Mont Ste. Odile in the Bas-Rhin province
in France. This area is also known as the Northern Alsace or the Middle Vosges.
Dreistein Castle occupies a little rocky outcrop, at 628 meters altitude, on the
west side of the Mont Ste. Odile mountain. Its lies beneath the nearby "pagan"
walls. Blocks of this wall were used for its construction. The rocky outcrop is
separated from the mountain slope by a ditch cut out of the rock. The outcrop
itself is divided into two separate rocks by a fault. The castle is built on
those 2 rocks. The one closest to the mountain is known as the Eastern castle and
the other as the Western castle. This "Western" castle is itself divided into 2
constructions by a blind wall and a round tower.
Nothing is known about the construction or history of Dreistein Castle. Due to its
architecture its construction is placed in the 13th century. The oldest document
which mentions the existence of Dreistein Castle goes back to 1442. The site was
probably abandoned during the 16th century.
The "Eastern" castle is flanked by a circular keep intended to withstand attacks
coming from up the mountain.
This is a nice ruin with a 'mysterious' feel to it. Access to it is prohibited
because of the danger of falling stones.


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