Château du Hugstein, Medieval castle ruins between Buhl and Guebwiller, France
Château du Hugstein is a fortified castle on a rocky hilltop between Buhl and Guebwiller with preserved gateway tower and rampart sections. The ruins display typical medieval defensive features and offer views across both surrounding towns.
The fortress was founded in 1227 by Hugo de Rothenburg and served the Murbach Abbey as a defensive stronghold. Later in the medieval period it became a place of confinement before eventually falling into disuse.
The castle reflects how medieval nobles controlled the valleys below through strategic positioning and fortified design. Its hilltop location made it a visible symbol of power that still shapes how people view the landscape today.
The hilltop location requires moderate physical effort on the climb, but the paths are natural and generally accessible. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be aware that some areas of the ruins have limited structural support.
A richly decorated Gothic keystone from the chapel featuring an Easter lamb carving was brought to the Florival Museum in Guebwiller. This find reveals the artistic details that once adorned the structure.
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