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Origin and history

The castle of the Oedenburg, sometimes called Petit-Koenigsburg, is a historical monument located in Orschwiller, in the Lower Rhine, a few hundred meters from the Upper Koenigsburg. Its present name, which appeared in 1417 in the form of der oden burg ("the abandoned castle"), replaces earlier names such as Estuphin (1147) or Kunigesberg (1187). These terms initially referred to a larger fortified complex, including the present High-Koenigsburg and other fortifications that have now disappeared. The site, occupied from the 9th century, was endowed with a dungeon in the 13th century, then enlarged by a house at the end of the same century.

Archaeological excavations reveal an occupation until the beginning of the 15th century, marked by stove tiles dated this period. The castle was mentioned as abandoned in 1417, although its strategic location interested Albrecht von Berwangen in 1504 to install artillery against the Upper Koenigsburg. The ruins, classified as a historical monument in 1993, were consolidated at the beginning of the 20th century by Bodo Ebhardt, an architect also involved in the restoration of Upper Koenigsburg. The property was transferred to the Bas-Rhin department in 2007.

Architecturally, the Oedenburg is distinguished by a shield wall, thicker and higher than other walls, designed to protect buildings on the attack side. Its positioning allowed to monitor the vals of Villé and d-Argent, as well as the Rhine plain, although the eastward view was partially obstructed by the rock of Upper Koenigsburg. The Rathsamhausen, the noble Alsatian family, was certified owners in 1267 as Kunegesberc. No occupation after 1420 was confirmed by archaeology.

The site, classified in 1937 and protected since 1991, illustrates the evolution of medieval fortifications in Alsace. Its history remains partly enigmatic, especially because of the old confusion between the different parts of the original castral ensemble. Written and material sources suggest both a residential and a defensive function, with subsequent modifications to western access.

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