Château Saint-Ulrich

Château Saint-Ulrich (alt. 530 m) is the most imposing and best preserved of the three castles of Ribeauvillé.

Also known as Rappolstein, Gross Rappolstein, or Ukrichsburg, it was built in the mid-13th century on a rocky spur overlooking the Strengbach valley and received successive extensions, the most remarkable of which was the addition of a wing of grandiose proportions, consisting of two huge rooms arranged one on top of the other and lit on the Levantine side by a double row of 7 semicircular windows.

Although the St. Ulrich has little military character, it is a fine example of a seigneurial settlement.
Residence of the Ribeaupierre family until the 15th century, it is one of the most beautiful achievements of secular art in Alsace.

In the 16th century, the castle fell into ruin through abandonment, although it still had a small garrison at the beginning of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). In the seventeenth century, the castle is burned.

Today, it still impresses by its proportions. The vestiges currently visible date back to several eras:

- the square keep and the main building date from the 12th century,

- the knights' hall and the large 13th century tower,

- the entrance barbican and the outer enclosure are from the 14th century,

- the St. Ulrich Chapel dates from the 15th century.

Today, access to the Château Saint-Ulrich is only possible on foot via a signposted hiking trail "Circuit des trois châteaux" using the GR5 (departure from the Place de la République or from the Lutzelbach car park in Ribeauvillé, duration about 2h30).

DATAtourisme France