Château de l'Ortenbourg, Medieval castle in Scherwiller, France
The stone fortress stands at 437 meters altitude with a pentagonal keep and Gothic windows overlooking the Alsace wine region.
Rudolf of Habsburg rebuilt the fortress between 1262 and 1265, transforming it into a military stronghold to control the territory of Scherwiller.
The fortress represents medieval military architecture in Alsace, with its high walls containing three rows of arrow slits and stone staircases.
The castle remains open all day without entrance fees, requiring a 30-minute walk from the parking area on Route des Romains.
The castle features a large moat separating it from the mountain and includes domestic facilities that allowed self-sufficiency during medieval times.
Location: Scherwiller
Inception: 1262
GPS coordinates: 48.29573,7.39208
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:43
Alsace stretches between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, presenting historical monuments from various periods. The region contains medieval castles such as Haut-Koenigsbourg, military fortifications by Vauban, and Romanesque and Gothic churches. Old town centres display characteristic half-timbered houses, while museums like the Railway Museum in Mulhouse or the Automobile Museum showcase technical collections. Strasbourg features its historic quarter La Petite France with canals and half-timbered buildings, along with the cathedral and its astronomical clock. Colmar offers the Unterlinden Museum housing the Isenheim Altarpiece and preserved old town districts. The Alsace Wine Route connects villages such as Riquewihr, Kaysersberg and Eguisheim, which have maintained their medieval structures. The Vosges mountains form the natural backdrop of the region with hiking trails and viewpoints. Fortifications like Fort de Mutzig reflect the military past. Religious buildings such as Murbach Abbey or the Church of Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul in Rosheim document Romanesque architecture. The region combines German and French heritage in its architecture, cuisine and culture.
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