Ruin to visit Bernstein Castle

Perched at an altitude of 562 m, Bernstein Castle is one of the oldest castles in Alsace. In addition to the discovery of a relatively well-preserved ruin, it is the panorama of Dambach-la-Ville, the Alsace plain and the Black Forest that will reward your efforts.

Markers

First mentioned in the early 11th century, the castle, as it stands today, dates from the 12th century. Owned by the Counts of Eguisheim-Metz-Dabo, then residence of the Bishops of Strasbourg, who made it their greatest bailiwick, the gradual loss of its administrative role led to its abandonment in the 16th century. Burnt down during the Thirty Years’ War, in the early 19th century it was to be bought by Felix de Dartein, who built the house in the farmyard.

History

On his departure for the crusades, the Count of Dabo, Lord of Bernstein entrusted his brother with the care of watching over his lands and his daughter. Fifteen years later, poor and stripped of his possessions, the count returned to Alsace to discover that his brother had seized his land and chased his daughter from it. He later recognised his daughter in the person of a young innkeeper. Both, joined by the local inhabitants, would manage to recover their property.

Key points

Its 18-meter-high pentagonal-shaped keep, which served as a shield for the buildings placed in a row behind it. Access to its interior and the climb to the upper platform for the panorama.

Practical informations

Address


67650 Dambach la Ville

Access
From the town of Blienschwiller, take the RD203 towards Hohwarth-Villé for approximately 3km. Just before the crossroads with the RD 253, turn left on the forest path for about 4 km, as far as the car park at Schulwaldplatz. Then continue on foot following the signs for the Fortified Castles’ Trail and the Vosges Club (red rectangle).
Walk time from car park
20 min
Nearest tourism office
Office de tourisme du Pays de Barr
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville - 67 140 Barr
tourisme@paysdebarr.fr
03 88 08 66 65
Conservation association
Les Amis du Bernstein
http://amis-bernstein.fr/
André Fischbach - contact@amis-bernstein.fr - 06 59 09 09 50
GPS coordinates
Lat.: 48.32192782 - Long.: 7.40009129

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