Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle: A Medieval Marvel in Alsace

​When heavy rain made it impossible to hike, we decided to visit Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle. The castle has a rich history that goes back more than 800 years. It was originally built in the 12th century by the Hohenstaufen family and served as a strategic fortress, controlling important trade routes in the region. The castle sits on a high hill overlooking the Upper Rhine Plain, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The stronghold was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War in 1633 by Swedish troops and lay in ruins for centuries. In the early 20th century, the German Emperor Wilhelm II restored the castle to reinforce German heritage in Alsace. The restoration, completed between 1900 and 1908 by architect Bodo Ebhardt, rebuilt the castle in a medieval style, blending historical accuracy with some creative touches. Despite the creative touches, we truly enjoyed the morning we spent there - Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle, Orschwiller, Alsace Region, France