Château de Schœneck

The origins of Schœneck Castle are obscure, but the first stone components are dated to the mid-13th century, making it one of the oldest castles in the Northern Vosges. The first documentary mention occurred in 1287, when the Bishop of Strasbourg, Konrad III von Lichtenberg, sought to redeem the castle. Between 1301 and 1488, it served as a sub-fief of the Schöneck family. After the extinction of the Lichtenbergers in 1480, Schœneck passed to the Counts of Zweibrücken-Bitsch, who carried out extensive reconstructions and extensions in the late Gothic and Renaissance styles in the 15th and 16th centuries. During the Thirty Years' War, the castle offered refuge but was severely damaged by a forest fire in 1663. Despite repairs and the stationing of troops during the Dutch War, the castle fell to French troops in 1680 after a siege, who then blew it up and razed it. It subsequently fell into disrepair, was confiscated during the French Revolution, and later acquired by the von Dietrich family. Extensive restoration and excavation work began in 1881 and is now continued by the Cun Ulmer Grün association for its preservation and partial reconstruction.

The Château de Schœneck castle ruin is located in the municipality of Dambach in the Bas-Rhin department, Alsace, France, at an elevation of approximately 372 meters above sea level.

Visitors can explore the well-preserved castle ruin at any time and discover the remains of the multi-part complex. From the upper castle, there is a wide view over the Winecker Valley.

• Château de Wineck (castle), approx. 0.6 km away
• Château de Wittschlœssel (castle), approx. 1.7 km away
• Château du Vieux-Windstein (castle), approx. 2.8 km away
• Château de Lutzelhardt (castle), approx. 3.0 km away