Question 1

What is the history of Château de Saint-Ulrich?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich has a history stretching from the 11th to the 16th centuries as the principal residence of the lords of Ribeaupierre. Anselme II de Ribeaupierre expelled other family members and survived sieges by Rudolph I of Germany in 1287 and Adolf in 1293. The family left in the 16th century for a Renaissance-style mansion in Ribeauvillé, and the castle was later dismantled during the Thirty Years’ War.

Question 2

Why was Château de Saint-Ulrich built, and what was it used for?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich was used as a fortified strongpoint and as the principal residence of the Ribeaupierre lords. Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, occupied it militarily in 1114 during his war against the Eguisheims. From the 11th to the 16th centuries it served as the family’s main residence, before they moved to a Renaissance-style mansion in Ribeauvillé.

Question 3

What is inside Château de Saint-Ulrich?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich contains the salle des chevaliers, or knights’ hall, the Chapel of Saint Ulrich, the corps de logis and a residential tower. The knights’ hall retains nine Romanesque windows. The surviving lower level of the ceremonial building has twin windows topped by oculi and side benches, while the chapel dates from the 15th century.

Question 4

Where is Château de Saint-Ulrich?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich stands above Ribeauvillé in Haut-Rhin, in Alsace. It is one of three castles overlooking the commune, together with Girsberg and Haut-Ribeaupierre, and is situated at an altitude of 528 metres. Ribeauvillé is the nearest named town and the location given for the castle’s administrative territory.

Question 5

When was Château de Saint-Ulrich built?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich was first raised around 1200, with its earliest surviving structures belonging to the 12th century. The visible remains were built in stages: the square keep and corps de logis are 12th-century, the knights’ hall and residential tower are 13th-century, the barbican and outer enceinte are 14th-century, and the chapel is 15th-century.

Question 6

Was Château de Saint-Ulrich ever attacked or besieged?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich was besieged twice and held both times. Rudolph I of Germany attacked it in 1287, and his successor Adolf attacked it in 1293. Anselme II de Ribeaupierre successfully survived both sieges after expelling the other members of his family from the castle.

Question 7

Which family or clan held Château de Saint-Ulrich?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich was held by the Ribeaupierre family, also known as the Rappolstein dynasty. It was the principal residence of the lords of Ribeaupierre from the 11th to the 16th centuries. The family later left the castle for a Renaissance-style mansion in Ribeauvillé.

Question 8

What did Château de Saint-Ulrich look like in its prime?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich presented a tiered arrangement of curtain walls and platforms in pink-rose sandstone on a steep rocky crag. A tall square keep stood at the east end, with residential ranges stepping down the ridge. A projecting barbican and outer enceinte protected the approach, while the knights’ hall had Romanesque arched window openings.

Question 9

Is Château de Saint-Ulrich still standing or is it a ruin?

Accepted Answer

Château de Saint-Ulrich is a partial ruin today, with surviving fabric from several medieval building phases. The square keep, residential ranges, knights’ hall, residential tower, barbican, outer enceinte and Saint Ulrich chapel remain visible. Rooflines are mostly gone, and the surviving walls contain irregular arrow slits and larger window openings.

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