Château du Helfenstein

The Helfenstein, before 1928 also called Wachtfels, is freely accessible ruins of a medieval castle rock in the French department of Moselle ( Lorraine), close to the Lower Rhine and Rhineland- Palatinate.

Location

The Helfenstein Castle (French: Château du Helfenstein ) is located about 350 meters above sea level at the eastern end of a ridge, is located on the summit of the West Castle Falkenstein. This can be reached from a parking lot on the road Philipp Bourg- Sturzelbronn (D 87a ). Shortly before reaching the Castle Falkenstein follow at the 180-degree right turn left follow the signs to the castle Helfenstein. From the parking lot you need about 20 minutes, mostly uphill.

History

1225 a Ruodegerus de Helphenstein lacius is called. But it is not clear whether this refers to the castle. It is certain that the Helfenstein at the beginning of the 14th century belonged to the Dukes of Lorraine. This they gave the bailiffs of Wasselnheim fief. Probably Helfenstein was destroyed around 1435 in a feud. In 1938 the ruins of stone and Help Falkenstein were used by French artillerymen.

Today the castle is located in a French state-owned.

Castle

The complex consists of an upper and a lower castle, which are clearly distinguishable.

The gate of the north-west entrance location of the castle no longer exists, you will find here only various building stones. The curtain wall of the following broad court, which is south bounded by a three to five meter high cliff is, receive only sparse.

To the east of the courtyard there is a castle on top of related, about 15 feet high cubic boulder. On the platform is a 3.50 x 4 meter filter cistern, which was like a pit carved into the rock and in its center is a 5.37 meter deep discharge chute is located.

The system is protected on the west side by a six -meter wide and about five feet deep moat with vertical walls. This was carved out of the rock.

Access to the upper part of the castle rock is relatively dangerous.