The second floor: the Kaiser's Hall

This room is the only one in the castle that does not comply with the rigorous restoration principles dear to Bodo Ebhardt: this is not a restoration but a modern creation, showing a somewhat fantasised Middle Ages...

This is due to the very function of the room: we are in a room of prestige and pomp, created for Wilhelm II, the emperor who had the castle restored.

The room's ceiling is higher than it was in the Middle Ages, to enhance the emperor's prestige and to allow visitors to focus on the vaulted ceiling. They will discover the eagle that appears there, the Germanic imperial symbol par excellence, and so understand the reasons behind the restoration. The aim is to show that the castle and Alsace are an integral part of the Empire and that their history is Germanic.

Beautiful paintings by Leo Schnug, a renowned Alsatian painter of the early 20th century, also adorn the walls.

Here, the artist takes up themes from the idealised (and somewhat summarised) Middle Ages: on the one hand, war and, on the other, the tournament with its beautiful ladies trembling for their champion! Hunting is also evoked in the central chandelier, which shows Saint Hubert, patron saint of hunters, surrounded by the animals of the forest.

You can also admire the wood panelling depicting historical figures closely or distantly linked to Wilhelm II, another way of legitimising himself. The emperor sees himself as heir to the most powerful families in the empire

The emperor is not physically represented, but his monogram (WII, Wilhelm II in German) can be seen at the top of the small oak trees visible from both sides of the room all along the vaulted ceiling, as well as on the ceramic stove.

Another little wink: Esmond, the emperor's dachshund, is also in the painting!