Château de Guirbaden, Bas-Rhin, France

The Château de Guirbaden (or Girbaden) is a ruined castle in the commune of Mollkirch, Alsace. It is situated in the Guirbaden forest, near the village of Mollkirch on the left bank of the Magel River. The castle covers a larger area than any other in Alsace. Dating from the 11th century, over more than 500 years it suffered several attacks, destructions and reconstructions.

Out of the enclosure and the buildings, today only the main dwelling, the keep, sections of the surrounding wall and Saint Valentine’s Chapel remain. It offers a magnificent view of the Plain of Alsace and Bruche Valley.

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User Reviews

Edwin Herrenschmidt (3 years ago)
Lovely hike from the cemetery parking lot of Grendelbruch. Little to no elevation. Easy walk for families or the elderly. Count +/- 45mins each way. The fortress is massive, with parts under reconstruction so they are locked up. Great view of the vallée de la Bruche. Free entrance, all year, so please respect the site and take your garbage with you. Merci. Thank you!

Vojtěch Wostrý (3 years ago)
Guirbaden Castle is the ruins of a large fortress built in the 11th century. There is a good hike up to the castle (the paths are not too difficult, they are also suitable for children), and there are also interesting MTB trails leading up to it. The site is privately owned but is freely accessible. The only building on the site that has been slightly repaired (but is also accessible) is the former chapel. Guirbaden is an excellent place for a picnic. You will find several tables with benches where you can sit and have something to eat. We did not find a source of drinking water in the area. Guirbaden Castle is definitely worth a visit.

Juris Ozolins (4 years ago)
Nice Place for Hiking.. Biking or Picking!

Escobaria Gracilis (8 years ago)
Nice castle ruin and a nice walk through the forest.

Mary Finley (8 years ago)
The castle is large but quite ruined. It's a long, uphill walk, so be die to leave enough time. I don't really think it's worth the time.

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Château de Guirbaden

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