The remains of the Castle can be visited
CastleReinhardsmunster
Château d'Ochsenstein
The Château d'Ochsenstein is an impressive rock castle in Alsace, France, composed of three closely situated complexes: Grand Ochsenstein, Petit Ochsenstein, and Wachelheim. As the ancestral seat of the Ochsenstein noble family, which established regional rule in the Middle Ages, it sits atop prominent sandstone rocks, offering deep insight into the region's medieval history.
History+
The origins of Château d'Ochsenstein date back to the 12th century, with the name Ochsenstein first appearing in documents in 1186 in connection with Otto I of Ochsenstein. The Geroldseck family is considered the builder of the complex. Following the division of property among Otto's sons in 1217, several structures were built on the castle hill. The rise of the Ochsensteins to a significant noble family began around 1240 with the marriage of Otto II to Kunigunde of Habsburg. The castle was besieged and partially destroyed twice in its history, including in 1284 and 1382, but was always rebuilt. However, a devastating fire in the 16th century led to its final destruction, after which no further reconstruction took place. Since 1898, the ruin has been a protected historical monument.
Location+
The castle ruin is located at approximately 552 meters above sea level in the municipality of Reinhardsmunster in the Bas-Rhin department, Alsace, France. It is situated in the northern Vosges mountains, at the southern end of the Schlossberg.
On site+
Today, Château d'Ochsenstein is a freely accessible ruin that can be visited. Visitors can explore the remains of the once mighty rock castle and gain an impression of its historical significance.
Nearby+
- Château de Birkenwald (castle), approx. 4.2 km away
- Château du Petit-Geroldseck (castle), approx. 4.3 km away
- Château du Grand-Geroldseck (castle), approx. 4.7 km away
- Château du Haut-Barr (castle), approx. 5.5 km away
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Source: Wikipedia · Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fr_Grand_Ochsenstein_Courtyard_South_Wall_exterior_1.jpg
This description draws on the facts documented in the linked Wikipedia article; Wikipedia content is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wording and editing: Mobile History.
Location: 48.6828, 7.2997