Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The New Windstein Castle, mentioned in 1205, was initially a den of robbers destroyed by Bertold de Bucheck. Around 1340 Wilhelm von Windstein (Guillaume de Windstein) rebuilt it on the ruins of the previous one. After his death without heirs, the castle passed to the families Schmalenstein and Ostertag von Windstein, then to the bishop of Spire in 1413. He became co-ownership of Lichtenberg, Henri d'Altdorf and Eckbrecht von Dürckheim in 1469.

During the peasant war in 1515, the castle was damaged by Anton von Lothringen's troops. In the 17th century, it served as a refuge during the Thirty Years' War before being besieged in 1680 by the French of the Baron de Monclars. Obrist von Dürckheim, the last defender, fled the roof fire. His property, confiscated and returned, marked the end of his military occupation. Ranked a historical monument in 1983, it was restored in 1983-1984.

Architecturally, the castle is distinguished by its absence of a traditional dungeon. It dominates the valley from a slender plateau, protected by a shielded wall, a north-east tower and a creek. The courtyard delineated an eastern courtyard, once occupied by a two-storey residence. Defensive arrangements (entry tower, bastion) were added in the 15th to 16th centuries to counter firearms. Destroyed by the artillery of Montclar under Louis XIV, there remain only ruins today.

Archaeological excavations revealed hexagonal pillars on the ground floor and a room dug into the rock, reinforced by columns. The dungeon, a two-storey polygonal lodge, leaned on the northwest rock. Access was via a removable wooden staircase. The snout windows, chimneys and crows of the floors were partially preserved. The property passed to Dietrich's family in 1820 before being classified.

Historical sources differ on its date of construction: 1339 (assigned to Guillaume de Windstein after the destruction of the old Windstein in 1332) or 13th century according to archaeology. The site, strategic, was an issue during the Alsatian conflicts, especially during the wars of Louis XIV. Today it is privately owned and bears witness to the medieval castral architecture adapted to military developments.

External links