Château du Hohlandsbourg, Wintzenheim, France

The Château du Hohlandsbourg is a ruined castle Wintzenheim, near Colmar. The construction of the castle, on the order of the Provost of Colmar, Siegfried de Gundolsheim, dates from 1279. The site, 620 m above sea level, allowed for surveillance of Colmar and its region. In 1281, the townspeople of Colmar revolted and set fire to the castle with the help of the Bailiff, Otton d'Ochenstein.

The castle came under the control of the Ensisheims before being given in 1410 as a fiefdom to the Ribeaupierres, then Counts of Lupfen, who enlarged it. In the 16th century, the castle belonged to Lazarus von Schwendi, general of the Holy Roman Empire, who, it is said, brought Tokay vines from Hungary to Alsace. He enlarged and strengthened the castle.

With Alsace becoming French at the end of the Thirty Years' War, the castle welcomed troops who blew it up in 1637 to prevent it falling into the hands of an Austrian army.

Today Hohlandsbourg Castle offers a magnificent all-round panorama over the plain of Alsace and the Vosges Mountains. It is open to in summer season.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Fjodor Tjulkin (4 months ago)
Very pretty views, and the Castle has a little museum as well as a gift shop. Entry is a bit stiff though

Sean Haywood (6 months ago)
Cost wasn’t too bad as we had two children who went for free but if an older family would start to add up. Went on a Saturday, restaurant was closed, no drink availability on a very hot day. Very surprised as would have thought weekend in August was a prime tourist day. Quick walk round and was finished, place was very empty, of tourists and things to look at unfortunately. Nice views but struggle to recommend

Sarah Bone (6 months ago)
Beautiful views of the region. A show was being put on for children which everyone seemed to enjoy.

Julien Hurth (10 months ago)
Disappointed by the visit. We wanted to see the "Fête du Bois" and there was really little offered. The entrance ticket costs 10 EUR per adult and is really not worth the price. Inside the castle there is few things to done and it's not worth the price! The restaurant has limited choice and only few tables, the castle has little to offer with one exception (the walk on top of the walls). Stay in front of the castle to make nice pictures from the view and you will save 10 EUR!

Selma Berk (2 years ago)
Amazing place - highly recommended for a visit. During a run we saw the place and right before closing time we got in - we didn't have much time before they closed but it was worth it

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Château du Hohlandsbourg

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus