Château du Wasenbourg, Niederbronn-les-Bains, France

Although the origins of Wasenbourg castle are fairly obscure, the historians attribute generally its construction, by 1273, to Conrad de Lichtenberg, then bishop of Strasbourg. The castle is quoted first time in a charter dated 1335 during a division of the Licthenberg family possessions. It is enfeoffed by these last ones to Guillaume de Born in 1378. In 1398, during a Fehde, Wasenbourg is besieged by the gathered troops of the bishop and the city of Strasbourg. Afterward, it will be used as residence by the vassals of the Lichtenberg.

Seriously damaged during the Peasants' War in 1525, Wasenbourg was raised from its ruins by Jacques de Deux-Ponts-Bitche in 1535.

In 1570, a quarrel of inheritance sets Linange against Hanau-Lichtenberg, both of them successors of Deux-Ponts-Bitche. Jean-Jacob Niedheimer, baillif of Hanau, takes advantage of it to occupy the place and assumes even the title of nobility 'of Wasenbourg'. The castle seems to have been saved during the War of Thirty Years (1618-1648) but will be finally dismantled by the troops of Louis XIV in 1677.

The site was outstandingly emphasized by recent works of consolidation and of restoration. The castle presents the peculiarity not to possess a keep. An 18 metre high, 14 metre long and 3 metre thick shield walloverhanging a deep ditch is enough to protect the lodging house towards the attack. A plate overhanging the entrance of the castle commemorates the visit of Goethe of 1771.

East of the lower yard raises a rock known as le Wachtfelsen, testimony of a Roman worship dedicated to the god Mercury. Having crossed the lower yard, we penetrate into the enclosure wall itself. An oriel window overhangs the East wall of the castle. The access to the lodging house is made by a door in broken bow overhung by a sculptured head integrated into a Gothic frieze.

References:

Wikipedia

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Anthony Dills (7 months ago)
A long trail but the view is worth it

Andras Di Giovanni (9 months ago)
Beautiful. Worth the hike.

Raoul Goudale (4 years ago)
A great hiking area and a beautiful forest. On top of the mountain is the castle with a good view. A panoramic view over the region. It is really worth to come here.

M. Laugesen (6 years ago)
Nice well kept ruin, however, information is only in French. Not a whole lot to see.

Chris Reţe (7 years ago)
A ruined medieval castle with a pleasant view through the old castle windows towards the Rhine valley. You can also see the Black Forest mountains in the distance.

Château du Wasenbourg

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