Wasenbourg: A Historic Castle and Roman Site in France

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.wanderparadies-wasgau.de

Country: France

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

Wasenbourg is a historic site located near Niederbronn-les-Bains, France, originally established during Roman times. Around 90 AD, the Romans built a specula—a watchtower or observatory—on a sandstone outcrop known as Wachfels. This installation was manned by a unit from the 8th Legion stationed at Argentoratum, today’s Strasbourg. Archaeological discoveries, including a bas-relief and an inscription dedicated to Mercury, indicate the presence of a Roman temple at the location, confirming its use as a place of both military observation and religious significance.

Following the Roman period, the site was abandoned in the mid-5th century, specifically after the Hun invasion of 451 AD disrupted regional stability. By 751 AD, documents refer to the name “Fasenburg,” likely signifying an early wooden fortification built atop the rocky base that had once supported the Roman temple. This suggests a continuity of defensive use into the early medieval period. The castle itself first appears in written records in the 8th century, indicating its established status amid the changing political landscape.

The current stone structure of Wasenbourg dates from the late 13th century. In 1273, the Bishop of Strasbourg, possibly under the leadership of Conrad de Lichtenberg, commissioned the rebuilding of the castle. Its purpose was to secure the entrance to the Falkensteinerbach valley and to serve as a defensive stronghold against rival noble factions in the region. Over the centuries, the castle operated as a fiefdom of the Bishopric of Strasbourg and was managed by various noble families, including the Burne family, who served the Lichtenbergs. Ownership later transferred through notable houses such as Deux-Ponts-Bitche, Hanau-Lichtenberg, Leiningen-Westerburg, and eventually, families like Hohenlohe-Bartenstein and Strahlenheim.

Wasenbourg experienced significant military action during the German Peasants’ War of 1525, during which it suffered damage. Later, in 1677, French forces under King Louis XIV dismantled sections of the castle as part of the Reunions policy, a strategy aimed at consolidating and expanding French territorial control. The ruins attracted cultural attention in the 18th century; the renowned writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited the site around 1770, an event now commemorated by a plaque at the castle’s entrance.

The site entered official protection in the late 19th century when the Alsace-Lorraine state acquired it in 1890. It gained status as a historic monument in 1898, reflecting its recognized importance. Archaeological investigations conducted in 1899 by Dr. Mehlis unearthed further evidence of the Roman past, including reliefs of Mercury and pottery shards. Later excavations in 1936 revealed medieval artifacts such as glazed tiles, a rattle, an iron ladle, a coin from Strasbourg, and the circular base of a millstone or silo dating to the 15th or 16th century. Today, Wasenbourg stands as the most well-preserved ruin in the Northern Vosges, though it requires continued care to manage natural overgrowth and prevent deterioration.

Remains

Wasenbourg occupies a commanding position at 432 meters above sea level atop the Reisberg hill, overlooking the Falkensteinerbach valley and the town of Niederbronn-les-Bains. Unlike many castles of its time, it does not feature a central tower or keep. Instead, the main defensive element is a large shield wall that rises approximately 18 meters high and stretches 14 meters in length. This thick wall, measuring between 3 and 3.7 meters wide, replaced the traditional tower and includes an internal stairway, providing both protection and access within its robust stone fabric.

The castle’s layout consists of an outer courtyard, which housed stables, and an inner courtyard containing quarters for servants as well as storage spaces. Access to the knights’ hall is gained through a pointed, arched gate from the inner courtyard. This hall features a significant fireplace wall where a chimney was restored in 2009, enhancing understanding of its original living conditions. Positioned in front of Gothic-style windows are two carved sandstone benches, and above, carved stones supporting the ceiling include a sculpted head, which likely represents the master builder responsible for the castle’s construction.

A distinctive window within the knights’ hall dates to roughly 1280 and is notable for its intricate design. It comprises nine lancet-shaped stained-glass panels topped by seven small, openwork rose windows. This entire composition was carved from a single block of sandstone, a rare architectural feat, and faces toward Niederbronn-les-Bains. The window underwent restoration in 1909, preserving its medieval craftsmanship. Mason’s marks found on various stones throughout the castle correspond closely to those used in Strasbourg Cathedral, suggesting that the architect may have been Master Erwin of Steinbach, renowned for his Gothic building work.

Nearby, three large monolithic pillars with a heavy architrave bearing faint Latin inscriptions stand close to the Wachfels sandstone rock. These pillars originate from the medieval castle’s structure but were relocated during early 20th-century excavations and are unrelated to the earlier Roman temple found on the site. The main entrance boasts a pointed arch door enriched with a Gothic frieze, topped by another sculpted head, reinforcing the medieval decorative motifs present throughout the castle.

An oriel window, projecting from the east wall, adds to the castle’s architectural interest. Defensively, the castle is protected by a deep ditch that runs in front of the shield wall, contributing to its security by impeding any direct assault on the most formidable barrier.

Archaeological work at Wasenbourg has uncovered a variety of artifacts, spanning both its Roman and late medieval periods. Besides the Roman-era Mercury reliefs and pottery fragments, medieval finds include glazed stove tiles, a small rattle, an iron ladle, a Strasbourg coin, and a circular stone base interpreted as part of a millstone or a grain silo from the 15th or 16th century, illustrating the evolving use of the site through centuries.

The area around the castle is notable for its mixture of vegetation. Native Vosges sandstone plants that prefer acidic soil grow alongside introduced species such as large-leaved linden, goosefoot, dioecious nettle, periwinkle, primrose, and persicaria. Some of these cultivated plants are believed to have been established in the grounds since medieval times, contributing to the site’s living heritage and presenting ongoing challenges for preservation efforts.