Schlossberg literally means ‘castle on a mountain’ and it was constructed at Forbach around the 11th or 12th century. It is first mentioned in 1257 in a deed of gift in favour of the Collégiale Saint-Étienne in Hombourg-Haut. The feudal castle consisted of a square keep, a surrounding wall and a palace which was enlarged and fortified during the centuries that followed. In the 14th century, the building resembled a great palatial castle in the Renaissance style. The Saareck round tower was built in 1437, and the present-day octagonal tower dates from 1891. By the 17th century, the castle had been transformed and complemented by bastions. After the “Saareck” round tower was pillaged in 1591, the castle was restored only to be demolished definitively in 1634 by Marshal de la Force, on the orders of Richelieu and King Louis XIII.
After climbing the 118 steps, young and old alike will reach an altitude of 328 m. At this height, they will be able to enjoy an unrivalled panoramic view of the surrounding area.
References:The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.