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Origin and history

The castle of Wasselonne, located in the Lower Rhine, is mentioned for the first time in the 14th century, although its construction probably dates back to the 13th century. Developed as a powerful fortress, it had 27 towers and served as a seat for the Bailiwick of Wasselonne. His stones, extracted from the Kronthal pink sandstone quarries, were also used for Strasbourg Cathedral. This castle became one of the most important strongholds of Lower Alsace in the 15th century.

In 1448, during the Wasselonne War (1446-1448), the fortress was besieged and burned by the Strasburg troops after being taken by the Count of Fenetrange and Walther von Dahn. Reconstructed quickly, it was sold in 1496 to the city of Strasbourg for 7,000 guilders, with the agreement of Emperor Maximilian I. The castle then consisted of three circular enclosures, dry ditches and a square central tower, former church bell tower transformed into a watchtower.

In the 16th century, Wasselonne adopted the Protestant Reformation in 1525, and the castle became a refuge for reformers like Edmund Grindal, the future primate of England. During the War of Bishops (1592-1604), he was occupied by the troops of the cardinal of Lorraine. In the 17th century, after the Thirty Years War, Alsace was attached to France, and the castle, disputed between Turenne and Brandenburg, was partially destroyed in 1674 during the Dutch War. The ruins were never rebuilt.

Today, the castle remains only the entrance door surmounted by a square tower (1789), a round tower (former dungeon), remains of the ramparts, and the home of the bailli, transformed into a pre-votional hall. The square tower, with a bell of 1818 and a watchmaking mechanism of 1881, dominates General Leclerc's square. Archaeological excavations in 1950 revealed Merovingian sarcophagus, attesting to an ancient occupation of the site.

Ranked a Historical Monument in 1931 and 1932, Wasselonne Castle bears witness to the turbulent history of Alsace, between feudal conflicts, religious reforms and integration into the kingdom of France. Its ruins, integrated into the urban fabric, recall its strategic role and remarkable defensive architecture, now partially preserved thanks to 17th century engravings.

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