Château de Bilstein

The exact founding date of Bilstein Castle is unknown, but parts such as the keep and the curtain wall date back at least to the early 13th century, possibly even the 12th century. Its first documented mention dates to 1217, when Mathieu de Lorraine, the deposed Bishop of Toul, sought refuge here. At that time, the castle was owned by the Lords of Horburg. Later, it became a fief of the Dukes of Lorraine, who in turn granted it back to the Horburgs. In 1324, the Horburgs sold the castle to Ulrich III of Württemberg, who had the complex administered by a castellan and also used it as a forester's lodge. The keep served as a prison until 1489. Renovations and expansions took place in the 14th century. In the 15th century, repair work was carried out, including on the roofs and the bakery oven.