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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The castle of Saint Ulrich, also called Grand-Ribeupierre, is one of the three medieval castles overlooking Ribeauvillé in the Upper Rhine. Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, it peaks at 528 meters above sea level and was classified as a historical monument in 1841. Its remains, including a 12th century dungeon and a 15th century chapel dedicated to Saint Ulrich, testify to its strategic and architectural importance.

The castle was initially the main residence of the lords of Ribeaupierre, mentioned in 1038 as the "rock of Reginbald". Over the centuries, he changed his hands between the Empire, the bishopric of Basel and faithful like Egenolphe d'Urslingen. In the 13th century it became the symbol of the power of the Ribeaupierre, which resisted two imperial seats (1287 and 1293). The family left in 1518 for a Renaissance castle, allowing Saint Ulrich to deteriorate during the Thirty Years' War.

The architecture of the castle reflects several periods: square dungeon and 12th century house, 13th century knights' room with Romanesque windows, and 14th century barbacan. The chapel of Saint Ulrich, added around 1435, gives its current name to the site. In the 15th century, the castle served as a prison, sheltering characters like Cunegunde d'Hungerstein, accused of the murder of her husband. Abandoned after the 16th century, it was restored in the 19th century by Charles Winkler and then in 1999-2000.

The excavations and studies reveal an ancient occupation of the site, perhaps from the hallstattian period. The circular dungeon, dated the first half of the 13th century, and the western courtine illustrate medieval military techniques. The castle, owned by the commune, still dominates the plain of Alsace, offering an exceptional testimony of the Middle Ages in the region.

Ranked among historical monuments, Saint Ulrich shares his history with the other two castles of Ribeauvillé (Girsberg and Haut-Ribeupierre). Its present state, though partial, allows to imagine its central role in feudal conflicts and Alsatian seigneurial life. The successive restorations preserved its walls, fortified doors and defensive elements, making it an emblematic place of local heritage.

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