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Origin and history

Dagsburg Castle, located in Eguisheim in the Upper Rhine, is a historical monument whose origins date back to at least the twelfth century. Its present ruins, classified as early as 1840, include a partially collapsed square dungeon, remains of courtine incorporating a Roman wall, as well as traces of houses and stables. The site reveals an ancient occupation, with elements dating from the Roman era reused in medieval fortifications.

The first written mention of the medieval castle dates from 1006, when it belongs to Count Hugues IV of Nordgau, father of the future Pope Leo IX. In the 12th century, the site was divided among several lords: the Count of Ferrette controlled the castles of Wahlenbourg and Weckmund in the south, while the Count of Dabo owned Dagsburg in the north. At the end of the 12th century, the castle was partially destroyed and rebuilt, before passing in 1251 under the property of the bishop of Strasbourg, who gave it in fief to the Count of Ferrette.

In 1466, the castle was taken and destroyed by the cities of the Alsatian décapole, with the exception of the Saint-Pancrace chapel. After the Revolution, its ruins were acquired by the municipality of Eguisheim, while the other two nearby castles (Weckmund and Wahlenbourg) returned to the municipality of Husseren-les-Châteaux. Today, the remains of Dagsburg include a dungeon with bossed walls, characteristic corner chains, and a door in the middle of the house.

The architecture of the dungeon has notable peculiarities: its lower walls consist of bosses on five seats, surmounted by a cutting stone apparatus. A rectangular door pierced on the upper level, surmounted by an arc in the middle of the corner, as well as the remains of a chimney (two columns) testify to its residential and defensive use. The site thus illustrates the evolution of construction techniques between the 12th and 13th centuries in Alsace.

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