Bernstein Castle

Bernstein Castle is a ruined castle located in Dambach la Ville, France, at an altitude of 557 meters. The castle originally belonged to the Count of Dabo, and after a siege in 1227 it became the Bishop of Strasbourg. Until 1580, it also held bailiffs, and after this year the building turned into ruins.

Bernstein Castle is one of the oldest in Alsace. The first mention of it dates back to the eleventh century, although there is a possibility that the northern walls may be dated to prehistoric time. The castle, located at the very top, and the estate belong to the XII - XIII centuries. The manor was separated from the fortress by a moat, which was later converted into a cistern. By the end of the XV century, the St. Margherite Tower was built in the backyard.

In 1789 the castle was destroyed, around 1835 Felix Dartain cleared the soil and built a house and some outbuildings. Now the castle is state property, it was included by the Ministry of Culture in the list of Historical Monuments in 1931.