Fire and abandonment of Haut-Koenigsbourg castle

Despite the extensive fortification work undertaken in the 15^th and 16^th centuries - notably the construction of the Grand Bastion to protect the most vulnerable western side and the Star Bastion to protect the eastern side of the castle - Swedish artillery defeated the Haut-Koenigsbourg defences during the Thirty Years' War.

In September 1633, after a fifty-two day siege, the castle was looted and then burnt down, before being abandoned for more than two centuries.

The vegetation soon took over and invaded the site.
At first, the ruins were frightening and very few people dared venture there.
In the 19th century, however, historians‘ interest in the Middle Ages and Romantics’ love of the wilderness made these ruined castles a favourite place for walks.

In 1862, the ruins are listed as a historic monument, and three years later they are acquired by the nearby town of Sélestat.

From that time onwards, restoration work was envisaged: the Sélestat town council consolidated part of the ruins, and in 1882 the architect Winkler drew up an ambitious reconstruction project.

But the town was financially incapable of undertaking the restoration of the building.

After the annexation of Alsace to Germany in 1871, Sélestat offered the still majestic ruins of the castle to Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1899.