History of the castle
In the heart of the Villé valley stands proudly a silent witness to the tumultuous past of Alsace: the ruins of Bilstein.
These impressive remains have witnessed multiple eras, taking on the guise of a noble residence, a strategic fortress, and even a dark prison during the upheavals of the French Revolution.
Located north of the town of Urbeis, Bilstein Castle, perched at an altitude of 600 meters, once dominated the strategic road passing through the Urbeis pass towards Saint-Dié-des-Vosges. This strategic position made it a crucial link in the defense of the Alsace-Lorraine axis. The tower, the oldest remaining vestige of the castle, occupies the northwest corner, evoking the enigmas of its construction and the secrets buried beneath its ancient stones.
We know very little about Bilstein. First mentioned in 1105, the castle changed hands several times: it was owned by the Habsburgs, the Hattstatts and the Counts Dabo.
It was when Gertrude Dabo, the last of the line, married Thierry of Lorraine, that the fortress passed as a dowry to the Ducal House.
The Bilstein curse
Built from pink sandstone, Bilstein Castle exudes an aura that is both imposing and mysterious. Once a place of power and strategy, it has slowly sunk into oblivion and ruins, cursed by the torments of its past.
The tragedy of the castle reached its climax at the Battle of Nancy in 1477, when the knight Marx of Bilstein seized the Count of Nassau and imprisoned him in his dungeons, demanding a ransom of 500 florins. Greed was punished by treachery, and the knight Marx met a tragic end, his arms severed on the battlefield.
Lying bloodless on his deathbed, Bilstein cursed his executioner, demanding that he appear before God's judgment. Upon learning this message, Antoine de Wilsperg collapsed lifeless during a session of the Council of Nobles, thus marking the end of a tumultuous era.
The Bilstein, a cursed place, gradually fell into ruin and never rose again.
A tragic fate
Despite its former grandeur, Bilstein Castle has declined over the centuries. Now in ruins, it is merely a ghostly silhouette, though it still offers visitors a breathtaking view of the Vosges mountain range.
How to get there
The structure is located north of the town of Urbeis and 19 km from Sélestat as the crow flies.
To reach the ruins of Bilstein, follow the signs from Urbeis towards the pass, then take the D156 road towards "Les Murailles" (The Walls). A trail marked by the Club Vosgien will then lead you through the woods to this site steeped in history and emotion.