Château de Wineck, Katzenthal, France

Surrounded by vineyards, Château du Wineck stands on a granitic rocky outcrop in Katzenthal. It was constructed during the 13th and 14th centuries.

The keep is 20 metres high with an almost square plan. A modern external staircase on the western side of the keep gives access to the first floor via a 19th-century entrance. A modern interior staircase gives access to higher levels. Originally, the second floor was entered via a high door in gothic arch off a walkway in the south wall (today, a wooden balcony) leading to the roof of the residence to the west of the keep. On the third floor, to the north, a latrine remains. In the south-eastern corner of the roof there is a gargoyle. The original parapet has been restored. The horseshoe shaped enceinte enclosed the keep from the north and parts of its round walk still exists. To the west of the keep was the residence; to the east the stables. A second enceinte opposite the castle sheltered the lower courtyard. The moat surrounding the castle was cut into rock in the north.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Carsten W. (2 years ago)
Nice place to visit with a spectacular view. However to get there by foot or ordinary bike is kind of a challenge as the route up there is rather steep.

Thomas D (3 years ago)
Dangerous place for tourists. We visit Katzenthal and the Castel by the 30th of July. Actually its a nice place with good view. But while we parked there, some of our stuff got stolen by teenagers. The security camera of our car took pictures of them.

John Maletka (5 years ago)
The ruin of the Wineck is an interesting small castle to walk around. Access to the internal / keep area isn't possible normally. A locked gate blocks the way which is rare in the Alsace region. The building itself dominates the village and the vineyards around....Very beautiful in the autumn. Free car park at 400 metres from the castle. Easy access.

Peter Kovacs (6 years ago)
Nice place. The castle is unfortunately closed.

P. B. (PaulyMcBee) (7 years ago)
Beautiful vista from ramparts of castle. Caution: Road to top is narrow (single lane) for vehicles.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright discopalace

Historic Site of the week

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 Wineck

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

Sigmaringen Castle