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Origin and history

Bollwiller Castle is a Renaissance historical monument located in Bollwiller, in the Haut-Rhin department, in the Grand Est region. Built mainly in the sixteenth century, it stands out for its plain architecture, formerly protected by today's filled moat. The castle preserves medieval elements, such as an entrance tower, as well as significant additions from the 16th century, including two stair turrets and caisson ceilings.

The history of the castle is related to the family of Bollwiller, mentioned from the 12th century, although the first certificate of the castle dates back only to 1354. In the 16th century, Rodolphe de Bollwiller enlarged the castle southward in 1599, adding a coffered gallery and a second turret. The estate changed hands in 1649, moving to Reinhold de Rosen, before becoming an industrial property in the 19th century, with the construction of a mill at the site of the old communes.

The castle, which has been listed as historical monuments since 2007, now houses medical and educational institutes. Its architecture combines medieval remains, such as the entrance tower, with Renaissance elements, such as staircase turrets and decorated ceilings. The moats, visible on the cadastral plan of 1839, were filled at the end of the 19th century. A chapel dedicated to Saint Vincent, rebuilt in 1700, has now disappeared.

The site also includes a preserved medieval tower, bearing witness to the ancient enclosure of the primitive village. The successive transformations, including the additions of 1589 and 1599, reflect the architectural and social evolution of the estate, from the hands of local aristocracy to industrial owners. Today, the castle combines historical heritage and contemporary use, with protection extended to the entire terrain and old moat.

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