Orschwiller is a commune in Bas-Rhin, in the Grand Est region, 8 km southwest of Sélestat.
Its territory of 6 km² presents the shape of a strip oriented northwest - southeast at the limit of the department with that of Haut-Rhin, descending from the first Vosges peaks towards the wine-growing plain.
It is dominated to the west by the Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle, which overlooks the village to the east. The site is the jewel of the locality which has also preserved a green environment, covered with forests (65% of its surface area) and agricultural land including some 85 hectares of vines.
Built in the 12th century, completely rebuilt at the beginning of the 20th century, the imposing castle built in pink Vosges sandstone at an altitude of more than 700 m and whose name can be translated as "high castle of the king" was one of the sensitive points in the history of Alsace. Strategically dedicated to the defense and surveillance of the road leading to Strasbourg, fiercely contested until the 18th century when it was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, it has nowadays become a leading tourist site.
The village, itself eminently picturesque, has always lived in the shadow of the fortress. This is still the case today, even if there is no road connecting the town to the castle! You have to go through Kintzheim (to the north) or Saint-Hippolyte (to the south) to get to the castle by car. And from the village of Orschwiller, only steep footpaths lead to Haut-Kœnigsbourg!
In any case, between the formidable castle and the charm of the village surrounded by vineyards, it is an understatement to say that the town of 615 inhabitants is obviously unmissable during a stay in Alsace.
The Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is obviously "the" major site of the commune, from which you can enjoy an exceptional view of the Alsace plain, the Vosges massif and even the Alps in good weather! It is mentioned as early as the 12th century, built illegally by Frederick II of Swabia, then head of the Hohenstaufen family which reigns over the Holy Germanic Empire. It was then a question of strengthening its power over Alsace via a solid line of defense. The King of France was asked to react, but it was the Dukes of Lorraine who took possession of the site in the 13th century, then it passed into the hands of brigands who ruled the region during a long period of unrest.
The first castle was finally burned down in 1462. The Thierstein family recovered it and restored it somewhat, then it was Emperor Maximilian I who became its owner but the leaders of the Holy Roman Empire lost interest in it.
The castle was finally razed and burned during the Thirty Years' War in 1633. Haut-Kœnigsbourg was therefore abandoned...
The ruins, classified in 1862, were finally acquired by the town of Sélestat in 1865. After the war of 1870 and the annexation to Prussia, the remains were offered to William II who wished to highlight the site by creating a museum to symbolize the belonging of Alsace to Germanic history...
He However, it was not until 1900 that a vast restoration project was entrusted to the architect and archaeologist Bodo Ebhardt, then aged 35. He set himself the objective of restoring the castle as it was around 1500.
The work was completed in 1908. Some specialists still contest certain choices made (historically) but since this date, the site has regained all its luster. It proves to be an extraordinary testimony to what a fortress was like at the end of the Middle Ages, in terms of both the exterior architecture and the interior decorations. The painting of the walls and vaults was entrusted to Léo Schnug, an artist from Strasbourg. Lower courtyard, forge, mill, spiral staircases, drawbridge, weapons room, dungeon and cannons: everything is there for a journey through time. Hugging the rocky spur, with a wall surrounding a space of 270 m by 40, the castle dominated by a 62 m high keep includes a low courtyard where a fountain, an inn and a fountain are located. A drawbridge connects it to the interior courtyard and another to the bastion... The dwellings have been redesigned as in the 15th century, composed of rooms in a row decorated with paneling, and in addition to the princely apartments we discover a trophy room, a room of weapons and collections... The Kaiser's room is decorated with frescoes.
The castle and its gardens are open to visitors all year round (except January 1, October 16, December 25 and 26). Thematic visits, workshops, cultural events are regularly scheduled. Price: 6 to 12 euros. Information on +33 3 69 33 25 00.
Apart from this exceptional monument, the locality has other heritage sites of interest.
To the west of the castle, you can observe the remains of Petit-Kœnigsbourg or "Œdenbourg castle", abandoned in the 15th century, and which at one time made it possible to monitor the Val d'Argent to the northwest.
In the village, whose history reflects that of the Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, the Saint-Maurice church was rebuilt in 1779, succeeding several previous buildings destroyed during conflicts or which had become too cramped. It houses the statue of the Virgin of Langenberg, a sculpture depicting the mother of Christ kissing her child. The building, listed in the Inventory, fell prey to a fire in 1985 which required major restoration work.
In addition to several small sanctuaries (called Bildstœckels), old or even antique markers, the Saint-Joseph chapel which preserves a sculpture of the Holy Family in polychrome wood from the 17th century and finally the Plague cross at the entrance to the village erected in 1628 are also worth mentioning.
A pretty village with traditional architecture (half-timbered houses), Orschwiller does not lack character.
Several wine estates are also based there where you can taste (in moderation) fine quality Alsace wines.
Finally, for hikers (walkers or cyclists), it should be noted that the town is crossed by the Wine Route and the Alsatian Vineyard Cycle Route.
In addition to the footpaths linking the village to the castle, itineraries are accessible which lead to other major nearby tourist sites such as the Montagne des Singes and Volerie des Aigles animal parks, between the village of Kintzheim and Haut-Kœnigsbourg…
Maps and information from the intercommunal tourist office on +33 3 88 58 87 20.
