Kaysersberg Castle Ruins

The ruined castle above Kaysersberg sits on a spur of the Vosges with a panoramic view that covers the Weiss valley, the vineyards climbing the hillsides, and the village rooftops below. The castle dates from the 13th century and was built by the Hohenstaufen emperors to control the valley (Kaysersberg means Emperor's Mountain). The keep (the circular tower) is still standing and climbable via an interior staircase. The ruins are open, unfenced, and free. The climb from the village centre takes about 15 minutes on a steep path that starts near the fortified bridge. Early morning and late afternoon light are best for the view and for photographs of the village below. The fortified bridge across the Weiss River at the base of the castle hill is one of the best-preserved medieval bridges in Alsace: a stone bridge with a small chapel dating from the 15th century.