Freudeneck

Wangenbourg-Engenthal, France, France

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The Château du Freudeneck is a ruined medieval castle located in the commune of Wangenbourg-Engenthal in the Bas-Rhin department of Alsace, France.

It was built toward the end of the 13th century, likely by the Dicka family, with additional construction through the 14th and 15th centuries. Positioned on a rocky outcrop at an altitude of 390 meters, the castle served a strategic role, overseeing roadways and forest areas of the region. I

n 1408, the castle was attacked and set on fire by Strasbourg troops after a conflict with the castle's lord, Hans von Wildsberg, who had fled. Although possibly rebuilt, the castle suffered further damage in 1450, leading to its eventual ruin.

Architecturally, the castle features a circular keep on a square buttressed base, surrounded by a ditch and enceinte walls, with a fortified gate that once had a drawbridge. Restoration work began in 2004 led by volunteers to preserve this heritage site and open it to the public.

Today, visitors can reach the ruins by a short walk from the nearby hamlet of Freudeneck, where the castle’s remains still display its medieval defensive features and commanding views over the Mossig valley. The castle functioned as a monitoring post to alert the neighboring Château de Wangenbourg.​