Château du Hagueneck

This charming châtelet nestles discreetly at the end of a forested valley, not far from the Route des Cinq Châteaux. It dates back to the 13th century, but was refurbished and enlarged during the 14th century. The castle, along with the village of Wettolsheim, belonged to Burkhard de Hagueneck, a vassal of the Bishop of Strasbourg, as a pledge. Following numerous conflicts, the castle was besieged and then burned down. It was rebuilt shortly afterwards. After a dark period, the castle reappeared in the course of the 17th century. Ruined, the former stronghold became part of the rich possessions of the Knights of St. John in 1674. During the French Revolution, the château was sold as national property. Almost rectangular in plan, it is built on three levels: a quadrangular keep, the main building also known as the palace, the outbuildings and outbuildings, and finally, the advanced square. The Hagueneck's role is residential rather than military: it is small in scale, located at the bottom of a valley and far from major traffic routes, making it an inauspicious site for effective defense. The site was listed as a "Monument Historique" on January 29, 1923. Access: head west through the vineyards towards Wettolsheim. After a few kilometers, you'll reach a parking lot 10 minutes' walk from the ruin (red diamond markings).