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Origin and history

The Oberhof, located in Saverne in the Lower Rhine, is an ancient episcopal palace built in the fourth quarter of the seventeenth century. It was part of a set of two castles (with the Slos, the present Rohan Castle) erected inside the walls of the upper city. These residences served the bishops of Strasbourg, especially after Guillaume de Diest, expelled from Strasbourg in 1417, made it his administrative seat and principal residence. Bishop William III of Hohenstein began work to link the two castles, transforming the whole into a Renaissance style. The Oberhof was partially demolished in 1680 during the construction of the Episcopal Regency, now sub-prefecture.

During the Thirty Years' War, the castle suffered extensive damage. Prince-Bishop François-Egon of Fürstenberg rebuilt the Slos between 1667 and 1670 in the form of a palace, while the Oberhof was redesigned to accommodate the Episcopal Regency. The monument preserves architectural elements of the 15th and 16th centuries, such as a staircase turret (circa 1600), a chapel Saint-Michel (rebuilt in the 15th century on an ossuary crypt of the 13th or 14th century), and a gallery of the Oliviers (1539–1541) with a library. These spaces had various functions: sacristy, museum (1858–1967), or baptismal chapel.

The Oberhof has been a historic monument since April 21, 1934, especially for its staircase turret gate. The site, owned by the department, underwent restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries, including that of the ossuary crypt in 1905. The stables, renovated in 1506, were destroyed in 1976 after a fire in 1855. Today, the building has been home to the sub-prefecture since 1852, reflecting its continued adaptation to local administrative needs.

The castle illustrates the political and religious history of Alsace, linked to the bishopric of Strasbourg. Its construction and transformations reflect the successive powers of bishops, prince bishops and modern institutions. The emboss marks and armored vault keys (such as those of Albert of Bavaria, 15th–12th centuries) recall its central role in the region.

The sources also mention links with the Rohan Castle and the gallery of the Mount of Olives, built for Bishop William of Honstein (1539–1541). These elements underline the architectural and cultural importance of the site, between medieval heritage and Baroque adaptations. The Oberhof remains a symbol of the Alsatian heritage, between episcopal memory and contemporary use.

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