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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The fortified enclosure of Zellenberg, located in the Haut-Rhin in Alsace, dates from the first half of the 14th century, although its origins date back partly to 1252 with the construction of a castle on a rocky promontory. This castle, built by Gauthier (or Walter) of Horbourg under the protection of the bishop of Strasbourg, preceded the fortification of the village itself, begun in 1315. The wall, seven metres high and 540 metres long, was surrounded by a dry ditch (transformed into gardens in the 18th century) and had only one monumental gate to the north, destroyed in 1868. The walls, 1.15 m thick at the base, were flanked by towers only on the east side, two of which remain today: the northeast tower (diameter 6.40 m, restored hexagonal arrow) and the southeast tower (highened in the 19th century with an octagonal arrow).

The fortifications were restored or rebuilt in 1388, after their initial construction. Over the centuries, houses were attached to the ramparts, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, partially integrating the original walls in pink and white stoneware. Today, there are only significant remains: the two east corner towers, a section of bulwark at the southwest corner, and the alignments of walls reused in the facades of the current houses (as at 10 and 46 rue du Schlossberg). The enclosure, classified as Historical Monument since 1997, illustrates the defensive architecture of Alsatian medieval, comparable to that of Riquewihr.

The enclosure played a key role in the protection of the village, then under the influence of Strasbourg's episcopal influence. Its elongated rectangular plan, flanking towers and single controlled access reflect the military strategies of the time, aimed at limiting entry points and monitoring approaches. The dry ditch, later filled, and the northern gate (described as monumental by Mérian) underline its symbolic and practical importance. Subsequent changes, such as tower elevations or their integration into habitat, reflect the adaptation of the military structure to civilian uses after the loss of its defensive function.

The elements protected today include the facades and roofs of the two towers (located 10 and 46 rue du Schlossberg), as well as vestiges of the enclosure at 49 rue de la Fontaine. The property is shared between individuals and the municipality. Although partially masked by crepe, the original sandstone bellows and the massive west angle chain recall the initial magnitude of fortifications, designed to withstand feudal conflicts in the region.

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