Haut Koenigsbourg Castle, near St. Hippolyte, France

This is one of our favorite castles. It is an awesome sight, made of pink sandstone and dominating the area below. It is restored (with furnishings) and is a good example of everyday life centuries ago in France. It is NOT overly opulent like Linderhof or Neuschwanstein, but your imagination has free rein here as you ponder how life REALLY was for most medieval people in this region.

If you have a trip planned to Strasbourg, France, or even Paris, this is worth a day trip. It is located in the Alsace Region about halfway between Strasbourg and Colmar, near Selestat and St. Hippolyte (more on this at the end of the page). Actually, the Alsace region is so wonderful and there is so much to see and do, you may want to take a few days for your visit!

Frederich "One Eye" Hohenstaufen, the Duke of Swabia recognized the strategic importance of the "mountain of Stophanberch" back in the 12th century. The castle is probably older than that - this is the first RECORDED reference to it. As with most castles in Europe, title changed hands often to varied people, among then the Hapsburgs, and Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany. Wilhelm is responsible for the restoration of the castle by architect Bodo Ebhards from 1900 to 1908. Under the Treat of Versailles (1919) France again acquired ownership of Haut-Koenigsbourg, as it's known today.

Most of the castle has been restored similar to the way it looked in earlier times (before being destroyed by the Swedes in the 1600s). Wilhelm wished it to be made a medieval museum rather than a royal residence - and a symbol of Germanic history in Alsace. Many rooms are furnished, and tours are offered - you have to ask for an English tour. None was available the day we went, but we found the placards located throughout the castle, and the English brochure to be quite helpful.

We stopped by on our way from the Black Forest home, having heard this was a pretty castle. We figured we would enjoy the ride (on the BMW motorcycle), but we didn't expect to be so intriqued with the castle, having seen many since our arrival in Germany. We realized that this Burg deserved at least a half-day to enjoy fully. There is all kinds of "neat" stuff here, from drawbridges with the holes for boiling sap, or fat to be poured on invaders, to cannon and guns from various periods, to suites of armor and HUGE swords and weapons to be wielded from horseback (in the arms room). The banquet chamber is lovely, and the lavishly furnished apartment gives a good picture of how the royalty lived here.

Here are some pictures. Information follows on the beautiful village St. Hippolyte (where we had lunch) and some links to good sights about Alsace.

There is a restaurant inside the castle walls in the old stable. We didn't eat there, but the food looked good, and the prices are not as high as you might expect. Alsatian favorites are served there, such as Backeoffe, and flammkuchen, and some medieval style selections.

There is also (of course) a gift shop and book store at the castle. A hotel, Le Relais du Haut-Koenigsbourg, Orschwiller, France is about 5 mins from the castle. It offers 28 rooms for your comfort. The phone # is 0033(0)3 88 82 46 56 or fax 00 33 (0) 3 88 82 50 04 if you want current rates.

St. Hippolyte

Here are some other pictures. Not too touristy here. Quite a nice break.

France Tourism - great site
Alsace Tourism - great site

Here are some other links you may enjoy:

Pictures are property of Teresa and Jeff Munn. You may NOT use them without our permission!

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(Beginning 7/1/99)