Top 20 Castles around Kaysersberg-Vignoble

The large wall at the rear of the ruins has been reinforced. The keep is also now dilapidated. To prevent anyone from climbing the tower, the lower staircase has been removed.

Saunt Ulric Castle is the largest of the three ruins. It is currently undergoing partial renovation. A small section is cordoned off, and caution is advised in other areas. However, the keep is accessible.

The castle of Haut-Ribeaupierre (Hohrappoltstein) was probably built during the turmoil of the Interregnum around the mid-13th century. It served as an outpost at a time when the King of France was planning to invade Alsace. Later, it served as an observation tower for early warning of forest fires. The entire castle complex is dominated by an imposing circular keep, which offers a magnificent view of the Alsatian plain and the surrounding mountain ridges.

As a former Free Imperial City, Kaysersberg boasts its imperial castle. Built around 1200 to block the roads coming from Lorraine, it was a strategically important location in the war between the Holy Roman Empire and the Dukes of Lorraine. A massive cylindrical keep, one of the oldest round keeps in Alsace, with walls over 4 meters thick, is a sight to behold in itself. Within these walls and under the keep's protection, you can also admire the lord's residence with its pointed-arch windows! But above all, don't miss the magnificent view: Climb the 122 steps to the top of the keep and enjoy a breathtaking panorama of Kaysersberg, the valley entrance on the mountainside, the vineyards, and, on a clear day, even the Black Forest in Germany. From the old town, two staircases and a path through the vineyards lead to the castle ruins.

Ulrichsburg is the most impressive and best-preserved of the three castles. It was built on the rocky promontory around the mid-13th century. Until the 15th century, it was the residence of the Rappoltstein family and therefore has little military significance. Remains still visible today include: - the square keep and the main building (12th century), - the knights' hall and the large residential tower (13th century), - the barbican in front of the entrance and the outer wall (14th century), - the Chapel of Saint Ulrich (15th century). Girsberg Castle, built around 1250 opposite Ulrichsburg, was intended to strengthen its defenses.

The view from the tower is excellent. The climb up the tower is in complete darkness in some places. At least the steps are even and there is a railing.

Among the four ruins that dominate Ribeauvillé, Saint Ulrich seems undoubtedly one of the most fascinating castle complexes in the Haute- Alsace. It used to control the strategic road that connected the Alsace plain with the upper Lièpvre valley. Witness to the power of the lords of Ribeaupierre, it was their main residence until its final abandonment in the 16th century. It has different architectural styles: Romanesque parts are combined with Gothic and even Renaissance elements. Not far away, Girsberg Castle was built in the 13th century to house a new branch of the Ribeaupierre family: the house is still clearly visible there. Haut-Ribeaupierre was certainly built during the troubled period of the Great Interregnum, around the middle of the 13th century. on the site of a first castle, probably from the 10th century: it will serve as an advance post during the planned invasion of Alsace by the King of France, and then as a watchtower intended to prevent forest fires. The entire building is dominated by an imposing circular keep that offers beautiful views of the Alsace plain and the adjacent mountain ridges. A fourth castle was recently discovered under Saint Ulrich. Source: https://www.chateauxfortsalsace.com/fr/chateau/le-chateau-du-girsberg/

Kaysersberg in Alsace impresses with its many beautiful old half-timbered houses and is an absolute highlight.