Château d'Engelbourg

Thann, France

Engelbourg Castle was built around 1224 by Count Frederick II of Ferette to guard the entrance to Thur Valley. It was severely damaged a few centuries later during the Thirty Years' War and destroyed on the orders of Louis XIV in 1673, when its strategic role was no longer valid.

The main tower broke into several sections.The main part fell on its side looking towards the town of Thann, and this is what we call the Witch's Eye, as it seems to stare at the roofs in the village and off into the horizon.

Today, it can be reached by a steep stairway in about 20 minutes or by a walk through the vineyards in about 40 minutes. It is worth making the effort as you will have a magnificent panorama over the valley, the collegiate church and the town of Thann.

References:

Comments

Your name



Address

Thann, France
See all sites in Thann

Details

Founded: c. 1224
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Late Capetians (France)

More Information

www.visit.alsace

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ruben Williams (16 months ago)
Get out Stretch your legs and see something. This is a nice little hike with some good views of the valley. Picnic and take a little time its iconic enough to make for a pleasant break from wine tasting without being too demanding and taking so much time. bring your camera.. get a few shots in.
Roy Hoenderboom (17 months ago)
Small hike with a beautiful view of Thann. The ruins of this castle are somewhat magical with the flipped tower. Plenty of info signs around the ruins to read more about it.
Floris van Hal (18 months ago)
Very short walk from thann rewards you with a great view and an interesting site. The tower from this old castle fell over when it was deconstructed. Somehow the bottom piece stayed intact. This is now the sorcerer's eye. Very much worth the walk.
Mendurim Rashiti (2 years ago)
Amazing view of the town?
Rafał Urbiński (6 years ago)
Beautiful and amazing view.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Abbey of Saint-Georges

Saint-Georges de Boscherville Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey. It was founded in about 1113 by Guillaume de Tancarville on the site of an earlier establishment of secular canons and settled by monks from the Abbey of Saint-Evroul. The abbey church made of Caumont stone was erected from 1113 to 1140. The Norman builders aimed to have very well-lit naves and they did this by means of tall, large windows, initially made possible by a wooden ceiling, which prevented uplift, although this was replaced by a Gothic vault in the 13th century. The chapter room was built after the abbey church and dates from the last quarter of the 12th century.

The arrival of the Maurist monks in 1659, after the disasters of the Wars of Religion, helped to get the abbey back on a firmer spiritual, architectural and economic footing. They erected a large monastic building one wing of which fitted tightly around the chapter house (which was otherwise left as it was).