Location: Lembach in the Bas- Rhine department Map
Chateau de Froensbourg or castle Froensbourg is the ruin of a medieval rock castle near Niedersteinbach in Alsace.
There are still rock cellars and remains of walls in the lower part, the upper part on the castle rock is easily accessible with ladder stairs on the steep sandstone walls. In the upper part of the castle there is a well-preserved rock room. The remains of a hexagonal tower are remarkable. The castle offers a good view of the wooded Steinbach valley and the slopes opposite.
Between Niedersteinbach and the Fleckenstein pond, on the D 3, near the Froensbourg farm, follow the Club Vosgien path, blue rectangle.
Chateau de Froensbourg is a medieval citadel situated near a town of
Lembach in the Bas- Rhine department of France. Its unique
architectural feature is that part of rooms and halls of this
citadel is cut into a cliff of a mountain. Today most of human made
walls and towers were eroded away, while underground structures are
almost perfectly preserved after centuries of neglect.
Chateau de Froensbourg was built in the 13th century by a
Froensbourg family. In the middle of the 14th century it was divided
between the lords Froensbourg, Lowenstein and Sikingen. After
Reinhard von Sikingen became involved in banditry, Chateau de
Froensbourg was besieged in 1349. The castle was taken and badly
damaged as a revenge. It was shortly thereafter restored in 1358 by
its new owner Count Palatine. Castle was captured and destroyed a
year later. Emperor Charles IV banned its reconstruction. Only in
the late 15th century when it was restored again by the Lords of
Fleckenstein around 1481. Chateau de Froensbourg was finally
destroyed by the French troops in 1677. Its ruins were abandoned and
fell in disrepair, although part of the castle that were cut in the
rock survived in great condition. Chateau de Froensbourg was added
to the list of historical monuments in 1898.