Bergzabern Castle

The origins of the castle date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when the Counts of Saarbrücken presumably built a moated castle. The complex was first documented in 1333 as “Feste Zabern by Lantecken.” After passing to the Electoral Palatinate in 1385, it fell to Palatinate-Zweibrücken in 1410 through inheritance. During the Peasants' War of 1525, the castle was captured and destroyed by rebellious Lorraine peasants. Under Ludwig II of Palatinate-Zweibrücken, it was rebuilt as a 'Burgschloss,' a combination of a defensive structure and an unfortified castle. The south wing, completed in 1532 with its round towers, dates from this construction phase. A moat continued to protect the property at that time. After a fire resulting from a French attack in 1676, the castle was rebuilt between 1720 and 1725 by the Swedish-Zweibrücken building director.