Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle

A medieval fortress perched at 757 m, one of the most visited historic sites in Alsace.

Orschwiller (45 min from Orbey)

Era

Medieval

Tour length

1.5 to 2 hours

Location

Orschwiller (45 min from Orbey)

From

€12 full fare · €8 for ages 6–17 · free under 6

The site

What to know

First mentioned in 1147, the Haut-Kœnigsbourg has stood watch over the Alsatian plain from a rocky spur at 757 m. After more than two centuries in ruin, it was fully restored between 1901 and 1908 at the request of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who wanted a late-medieval mountain fortress brought back to life as it might have looked around the year 1500.

History

The story of the place

The site passed through the hands of the Hohenstaufen, the Dukes of Lorraine, the Hohenstein, the Thierstein, and then the Habsburgs when Maximilian I acquired it in 1517. During the Thirty Years' War, after a fifty-two-day siege, Swedish troops captured and burned the castle in 1633. It lay in ruins for more than two hundred years until Kaiser Wilhelm II commissioned its restoration by architect Bodo Ebhardt (1901–1908). Transferred from the State to the Bas-Rhin department in 2007, the site is now managed by the European Collectivity of Alsace.

The must-sees

What you really shouldn't miss during your visit.

The great bastion

The castle's western point, designed to absorb artillery fire. Sweeping views over the Alsatian plain and the Vosges.

The arms hall

A collection of restored armor, halberds and crossbows: the arsenal of a medieval garrison.

Lordly apartments

Faithfully reconstituted furniture, restored wall paintings, and the ladies' chamber with its canopy bed.

The keep

The great square tower, reached by a spiral staircase. On clear days, the view extends as far as the Black Forest.

The medieval garden

Replanted on the upper terrace with species used in the Middle Ages: kitchen herbs, medicinal and dye plants.

The outer ward

Well, forge and stables: everything a garrison needed to hold a long siege.

Opening hours

Open: Jan/Feb/Mar: 9:30am–12pm and 1pm–5pm · Apr/May/Jun: 9:30am–6pm · Jul/Aug: 9am–7pm · Sep/Oct: 9:30am–6pm · Nov/Dec: 9:30am–12pm and 1pm–5pm · Mondays open at 10:30am · Last entry 1 hour before closing
Closed: January 1, December 25 and 26

Tickets

Adult
€12.00
Youth (6–17)
€8.00
Reduced rate
Students, jobseekers, persons with disabilities
€6.00
Under 6
Free
Family pass
2 adults + 2 children, or 1 adult + 3 children
€30.00
Audio guide
€4 adult · €2 child
Guided tour (individual)
Booking required
+ €2.00

In pictures

The place from several angles, to prepare your visit.

Our tips before you go

1On Mondays the castle opens at 10:30am, against 9:30am the rest of the week and 9am in July and August.
2Admission is free on the first Sunday of the month from November to March, and during the European Heritage Days and European Museum Night.
3Arrive at opening time or after 3pm to avoid the crowds, especially on weekends.
4Free parking all around the castle, 150 spaces including 6 reserved for visitors with disabilities. From there, 300 m of gently climbing dirt track lead to the entrance.
5Without a car: bus line 500 links Sélestat station to the castle from March to December, €3 per journey, reduced admission included.
6Pushchairs and animals are not allowed inside the monument, which has 300 steps. Bring a baby carrier; only guide and assistance dogs are admitted, on proof.
7The audio guide (€4) adds a lot of historical context.
8Bring a light sweater: the stone rooms stay cool even in summer.
9Online booking recommended in July–August at haut-koenigsbourg.fr.
10There's a restaurant on site for lunch, so book ahead.
11A 45-minute drive from Orbey along the wine route.