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.

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Address

Wintzenheim, France
See all sites in Wintzenheim

Details

Founded: 1279
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Late Capetians (France)

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Selma Berk (12 months 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
Pavel Janda (14 months ago)
Very interesting place. What caught our attention was the very sensitive and tasteful connection of the historical building and modern elements within the repair of the building. The entrance, the exhibition, but also the interior of the cafe are very modern, and at the same time, it does not detract from the impression of a historical place! Good work! From the castle walkway you have a wonderful view in all directions and you can see really far away ?.
Bogdan-Mircea Bodnarescu (2 years ago)
Very nice castle in the mountains overlooking Colmar and the region close to it. You can walk around the walls and also get in the museum. The views are quite astonishing. There is also a Bistro.
Alex Haas (2 years ago)
Not far from Colmar you will find this castle. Sitting at 620m along the mountain border between Alsace and Lorraine. Although being a bit up on a hill, you can get and park pretty close to it. It'll be only a few minutes of walk. Of course you could park further away and make it a hike AND a visit to the castle. The entrance costs a fair 7 Euros for adults. You even can bring your dog with (except in the museum). We were happy to bring along our Bulldog. Staff was very nice and friendly. The chateau is quite big and impressive. Especially the walls are really huge and massive. The original Hohlandsbourg was built in 1279. Sitting here on top it was a very strategic important landmark. But in the last two centuries the Bourg was sadly deteriorating. Until it was saved in the 70s and restoration began in the 80s. And are still going on. There is lots of entertainment going on inside these walls. Many cater to kids. Not really our thing though. But we came for the architecture and the views. You can walk all along the castles walls. Impressive views from the top. Really a great thing to do. Quite remarkable that you're allowed to walk the whole way along the walls. All in all a good visit. If you're in the area surely worth a trip. At a fair price, it needs a lot of manpower and money to keep this castle in good shape.
Valentino Maniscalchi (5 years ago)
Absolutely a must to visit, a nice castle well rebuilt and maintain, with a wonderful view from top and the lands around. Inside the court there is also a stage and they made some representations in costumes for kids but also very pleasant for adults. There is a small museum with a collection of inventions from Leonardo da Vinci, and a nice walks on the top of the walls all around the castle.
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