Château de Hohenbourg

The origins of Hohenbourg date back to the early 13th century, when it was presumably built by Gottfried Puller, a representative of the Fleckenstein family. The castle was first documented in 1262 as being owned by Konrad and Heinrich von Hohenburg. In the late 13th century, conflicts arose with the Fleckensteins, culminating in the conquest of neighboring castles. After the death of Wilrich I in 1389, the castle passed to the Palatine Elector Ruprecht I, who enfeoffed it to Konrad Puller von Hohenburg in 1401. In the early 16th century, the castle was embellished in Renaissance style, and its defenses, including an artillery rotunda, were strengthened. Despite these measures, the castle was captured and largely destroyed by allied troops in 1523. After a reconstruction in Renaissance style by the Sickingens in 1542, the castle suffered further damage during the Thirty Years' War and was finally completely destroyed by French troops in 1680. Since then, it has remained a ruin and was declared a protected monument in 1898.