Photo : Wikimedia Commons
Château du Grand-Geroldseck
The Grand-Geroldseck is a ruined castle in the commune of Haegen, near the Haut-Barr, in the north of the Alsace Vosges. Founded in the early twelfth century by the lords of Geroldseck, advocates of Marmoutier abbey, its mission was to protect the abbey's lands. It was largely remodelled in the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.
The site combines residential and defensive functions on a vast platform. The square keep, isolated in the enclosure, dates from around 1200 and its walls reach about three metres thick. You can still make out the cellars of the main lodging and the barbican. The Petit-Geroldseck is only a few metres away.
The ruins have been listed as historic monuments since 1898.
It is reached on foot: from Saverne, the road leads to the Haut-Barr car park, from where a marked path leads to the castle. This approach walk preserves the calm and wild character of the place.
