Eye of the Witch: The Ruins of Château de l'Engelbourg

In the heart of Alsace, France, 'l'Œil de la Sorcière' (locally known as the Eye of the Witch) is a captivating reminder of a once grand castle. Built by the Comte de Ferrette, it stood guard over the Thur valley in the 13th century. However, after shifts in political boundaries, King Louis XIV ordered its demolition in 1673. After several attempts, a large section of the donjon's tower collapsed and formed 'l'Œil de la Sorcière'.

In the 19th century, the romantic ruins were immortalized in engravings. In 1898, the remains of the castle were classified as a historic monument. For over a decade, volunteers have been restoring the ruins through the association Études et Chantiers Grand Est. During this period, sections of walls and ramparts, including a defensive structure against artillery, have been uncovered and consolidated.

A detailed survey was conducted during the restoration, resulting in a 3D reconstruction of the site. The donjon is a circular tower, featuring cylindrical flanking, short arches, and oval gunports. The castle's oval shape, 150m long and 70m wide, is set on a small hill surrounded by multiple concentric walls.

The castle was the residence of the Counts of Ferrette and later the Habsburgs. After a facelift in 2013, the castle is showcased on the Portail du Haut-Rhin, the Portail des monuments historiques français, and the Portail des châteaux de France.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons