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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The enclosure of Saint-Hippolyte, erected in the 1st quarter of the 14th century, is a typical example of Alsatian defensive architecture. Built in stoneware and granite, partly crepy, it incorporates murderous and murderous-cannonières, as well as a circular tower called the Cigognes tower, pierced with rectangular windows at its top. This tower, located at the southeast corner, is the only one entirely preserved among the four original towers. The well-preserved ditches to the south and east bear witness to the initial defensive system, while the gates of Séletat and Bergheim, as well as three other towers, were destroyed between 1862 and 1864.

The first written mention of the enclosure dates back to 1313, confirming its construction in the early 14th century. The wall, still visible on a large part of its layout, now serves as a foundation for later dwellings. Among the notable remains are a tower base in the northeast and the foundations of a square tower in the centre of the south wall. Two stones dated 1669 and 1670, worn by the initials V.E., suggest a restoration at this time. The building has been listed as historical monuments since 1993, protecting its remains still standing, including portions of ramparts, ditches, and defensive architectural elements.

The enclosure illustrates medieval urbanization in Alsace, where cities built fortifications to protect themselves from regional conflicts. Its route, marked by the current streets (rue des Remparts, rue des Cigognes, etc.), reflects the spatial organization of Saint-Hippolyte at the time. The tower of the Cigognes, built in a dwelling, shows an adaptive re-use of the heritage, while the ditches filled to the west, near the castle, evoke the post-medieval urban transformations. A mixed property (common, private, society), the enclosure remains a tangible testimony of Alsatian defensive history, between medieval heritage and modern adaptations.

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