Ruin to visit
Nouveau-Windstein Castle
Markers
The castle’s history is linked to that of Vieux-Windstein, destroyed by the city of Strasbourg in 1332. Guillaume de Windstein built a new castle which passed to different owners over the centuries: the Lichtenbergs, the Linange-Leiningens and the Eckbrechts of Dürckhein. Refurbished in the 15th century, it was adapted to the evolving firearms but suffered the damage of the Thirty Years’ War before being destroyed in 1676.
History
While crossing the Northern Vosges, no doubt you have already come across one of these strange, motionless wasp-like creatures, hanging on their webs. It is the Argiope bruennichi, a wasp spider that deploys original and spectacular hunting tactics. In fact, it can ‘mummify’ its prey in a cocoon in the space of a few seconds. The latter, which remains alive, is generally not consumed immediately but ‘stored’ in a sort of pantry.
Key points
The entrance and the barbican with arrowslits set into it, the large residential tower defended by a shield wall on the attack side, the 16th century pentagonal bastion, the ruin of the residential chamber pierced by numerous windows with window seats and its upper part now accessible thanks to the remarkable work of the castle watchmen.
Practical informations
- Address
-
Rue du Mattenthal
67110 Windstein - Access
- From Niederbronn-les-Bains, follow the D53 towards Obersteinbach. Then turn right towards the village of Windstein. The municipal parking above the town hall is the best place to park. From the car park, take the tarmacked road to the guest house, then go up leftwards between the latter and the small garage. Follow the red rectangle of the GR53 or the signs for the Fortified Castles’ Trail.
- Walk time from car park
- 15 min
- Nearest tourism office
- Office de Tourisme de Niederbronn-les-Bains
6 place de l'hôtel de ville, 67110 Niederbronn les Bains
03 88 80 89 70 - office@niederbronn.com
www.niederbronn.com - Facebook @niederbronn - Conservation association
- Les veilleurs du Nouveau-Windstein
veilleurs-nouveau-windstein@orange.fr
http://www.veilleurs-nouveau-windstein.fr - Facebook @VNouveauWindstein - GPS coordinates
- Lat.: 48.99724757 - Long.: 7.67628908
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Hiking tour to the Windstein castles
Hiking tour to the Windstein castles
6 Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
67110 Niederbronn les Bains
03 88 80 89 70
tourisme@alsace-verte.com
www.alsace-verte.com
Nearby
Vieux-Windstein Castle
Schoeneck Castle
