Ramstein Castle Ruins Audio guide

The Castle on the Edge of the Alsatian Plain

Ramstein stands west of Scherwiller on a rocky outcrop at an altitude of about 390 meters. Its position at the southern end of the Rittersberg ridge determined both its defenses and its architectural form. The castle was most vulnerable to the northeast, while the steep slope protected its southern and western sides. It was here that a system of ditch, outer bailey, and outer wall was created to slow an attacker and expose them to fire from the residential tower.

Construction Development and Form

The heart of the complex is a massive residential tower, of which only the northern wall and part of the eastern wall survive. The castle was built mainly from local granite, though later alterations also used sandstone. In the 14th century, the tower was raised by two stories and its northern wall was reinforced. At the beginning of the 15th century, slender outer walls with towers open to the rear were added. Today, thanks to excavation work, the ground plan of the outer bailey and part of the defensive system are clearly visible.

History and Decline

The first mention of Ramstein dates from 1293. The castle was probably founded by Otto IV of Ochsenstein and soon passed to the Habsburgs, later to the Württembergs and other feudal holders. In the Middle Ages it was once ravaged by the people of Strasbourg during the Dachstein War, then restored and inhabited into the 16th century. The final end came in 1633, when it was burned by the Swedes. For a long time, it was believed to have been a siege castle against Ortenburg, but more recent research has significantly challenged this interpretation.