Château de Loewenstein

Located near Hohenburg, the Loewenstein occupies the southern spur of the Schlossberg, an imposing sandstone cliff. Dating from the 12th century, the first mention of its existence dates back to 1283; the year in which the imperial Grand Bailiff Otto III of Ochsenstein took over the castle, occupied by knights who refused to recognise the new king, Rudolf of Habsburg, who took over the empire. Around 1370, the site was divided into two separate parts, one held by the Ochsensteins, the other by Hans Streuff of Landenberg. In 1386, Hennel and Hans de Bitche, associated with the Ochsteinsteins, launched raids on the lands of the lords of Lichtenberg with whom they were in conflict, from the castle. The castle was then dismantled by a veritable army sent by the City of Strasbourg and Lord Jean de Lichtenberg to put an end to this "nest" of pillaging knights. The castle would then have been rebuilt, at least partially, and occupied until the 16th century. Its final destruction remains an enigma. Not much remains today, but a stop is necessary for the beauty of the place and the view, from the top of the rock, on the Northern Vosges and the Palatinate

Access: from the Fleckenstein reception area, take the path marked with a red rectangle to the Schlossberg Pass. From there, follow the path marked out with a red-white-red rectangle that will lead you to the ruin. The walk takes about 30 minutes.

DATAtourisme France