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Ruin to visit Grand-Geroldseck Castle

Standing at the top of a rocky ridge at an altitude of 480 m, the castle overlooks the Zorn valley and watches over the former Abbey of Marmoutier.

Markers

Built around 1120 by the powerful Geroldseck Family, solicitors of Marmoutier Abbey, it is one of the oldest castles in the Northern Vosges. In the 14th century, the Geroldsecks ceded part of the castle to the Bishop of Metz. In 1390, another part returned to the widow of Frédéric de Geroldseck. Occupied by brigand knights, the castle was then destroyed during the punitive expedition led by the Count Palatine (count of the palace) in 1471.

History

In 1235, Lord of Geroldseck was taken prisoner and released for a heavy ransom. A historical note suggests that his family had to mortgage ‘on both estates of Geroldseck’. This episode reveals the existence of the second castle called ‘Petit-Geroldseck’ also located in the town of Haegen and whose fate was linked to that of its neighbour, subsequently named ‘Grand-Geroldseck’.

Key points

The vestiges of the square keep, with its almost 3-metre-thick walls, the vast residential chamber and its cellars; the path leading from Haut-Barr to Grand-Geroldseck passing by the old Chappe Telegraph Tower (which linked Strasbourg and Paris).

Practical informations

Address: 67700 Haegen
Access: From the car park of Haut-Barr Castle, take the marked path which leads to Grand-Geroldseck.
Walk time from car park: 10 min
Nearest tourism office: Office de Tourisme du Pays de Saverne
37 Grand'rue - Saverne
03 88 91 80 47 - contact@tourisme-saverne.fr
Facebook @tourismesaverne - www.tourisme-saverne.fr
Conservation association: Association Pro Geroldseck
progeroldseck@free.fr - 07 82 56 95 19
progeroldseck.free.fr - Facebook @Chateau de Grand Geroldseck
GPS coordinates: Lat.: 48.71878268 - Long.: 7.33262837

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