Fleckenstein Castle

Fleckenstein Castle, locally known as Château-fort de Fleckenstein, lies east of the German village of Hirschtal, in the Bas-Rhin department in France. This area is also known as the Northern Alsace or the Northern Vosges.

Fleckenstein Castle was built in the first half or mid-12th century by the Fleckenstein family, who were ministerials of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. At that time it was situated near a road between 2 imperial palaces in Haguenau and Kaiserslautern and was thus strategically important. It was first mentioned, indirectly, in 1174.

The castle was restructured many times, most notably in the 16th century, between 1541 and 1570. The Fleckenstein family retained ownership of the castle until 1720 when they died out. It was taken by French troops under the famous Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban in 1674, during the Franco-Dutch War, without offering any resistance. In 1680 it was completely destroyed by troops led by General Ezéchiel du Mas, Comte de Mélac, commander of the troops of the cavalry general Joseph de Montclar, for Louis XIV of France.

During the French Revolution the castle ruins were confiscated and sold as 'bien nationaux'. Until 1890 the castle ruins were left to deteriorate. Later it was declared a monument and protected.

The semi-troglodyte Fleckenstein Castle was built upon, in and around a sandstone rock of 90 m long, 30 m high and 10 m wide, making it look like a ship sailing through a green sea of trees. There are lots of rooms, stairs and passageways to explore.

At present Fleckenstein Castle is a museum and can be visited for a fee. It is the second-most visited castle of the Alsace region, after Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, and it is the main attraction of the so-called "Route of the Four Castles"; a walking trail also including the nearby castle ruins of Lœwenstein, Hohenbourg and Wegelnburg (this last one just over the border in Germany). So it can be quite busy with tourists, most of whom only visit Fleckenstein and not the other 3 ruins. A great castle ruin; recommended.

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Fleckenstein Castle

Fleckenstein Castle, locally known as Château-fort de Fleckenstein, lies east of the German village of Hirschtal, in the Bas-Rhin department in France. This area is also known as the Northern Alsace or the Northern Vosges.

Fleckenstein Castle was built in the first half or mid-12th century by the Fleckenstein family, who were ministerials of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. At that time it was situated near a road between 2 imperial palaces in Haguenau and Kaiserslautern and was thus strategically important. It was first mentioned, indirectly, in 1174.

The castle was restructured many times, most notably in the 16th century, between 1541 and 1570. The Fleckenstein family retained ownership of the castle until 1720 when they died out. It was taken by French troops under the famous Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban in 1674, during the Franco-Dutch War, without offering any resistance. In 1680 it was completely destroyed by troops led by General Ezéchiel du Mas, Comte de Mélac, commander of the troops of the cavalry general Joseph de Montclar, for Louis XIV of France.

During the French Revolution the castle ruins were confiscated and sold as 'bien nationaux'. Until 1890 the castle ruins were left to deteriorate. Later it was declared a monument and protected.

The semi-troglodyte Fleckenstein Castle was built upon, in and around a sandstone rock of 90 m long, 30 m high and 10 m wide, making it look like a ship sailing through a green sea of trees. There are lots of rooms, stairs and passageways to explore.

At present Fleckenstein Castle is a museum and can be visited for a fee. It is the second-most visited castle of the Alsace region, after Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, and it is the main attraction of the so-called "Route of the Four Castles"; a walking trail also including the nearby castle ruins of Lœwenstein, Hohenbourg and Wegelnburg (this last one just over the border in Germany). So it can be quite busy with tourists, most of whom only visit Fleckenstein and not the other 3 ruins. A great castle ruin; recommended.

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Details
Hits: 3619