Château de Hagueneck, Medieval castle in Wettolsheim, France.
Château de Hagueneck is a medieval castle in Wettolsheim featuring a square keep, residential wings, service buildings, and a projecting bastion positioned at roughly 420 meters elevation. The site occupies a strategic hilltop location with views over the surrounding valley and landscape.
Built around 1230, the castle belonged to Burckhard de Hagueneck, a vassal of the Bishop of Strasbourg who administered lands from this stronghold. Ownership changed hands among regional families over the centuries as political alliances and inheritance reshaped control of the territory.
The structure demonstrates the preferences of medieval Alsatian lords who prioritized residential spaces and status symbols over pure military fortification. The layout shows how the family organized daily life, entertaining guests and managing their territory from this elevated position.
Access to the castle ruins follows a marked hiking path with red diamond blazes starting from a parking area near Wettolsheim. The walk involves moderate climbing, so sturdy footwear and time to explore the scattered remains across the site are recommended.
During the winter of 1945, local villagers sought refuge in the castle ruins as the Battle of Colmar swept through the region. These ancient walls provided shelter during a dark moment in the 20th century when the valley became a front line.
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