Château de Bilstein

About

Bilstein Castle, also known as Bilstein-Urbeis or Bilstein Lorrain, is an Alsatian castle probably built at the beginning of the 13th century on one of the hills of the coal basin of the Villé valley that surrounds the Urbeis village. The castle had many roles; being both a place of residence and a fortress charged with defending the Alsace-Lorraine axis and protecting the surrounding mines. He also served as a prison and then as a career during the French Revolution.

The structure is integrated into the turning point of the feudal construction system and is classified as Historic Monuments in 1898 and then in 1930. It should not be confused with Bilstein-Aubure Castle near Riquewihr, also called the Alsatian Bilstein.