Château d'Isenbourg - History of the Château

Isenbourg down the centuries : discover the story of this castle in Asace near Colmar

The etymology of the name Isenbourg is uncertain; while certain people favour "Eisenburg", the iron château, others prefer "Isisburg", the château of Isis.

Wherever it comes from, this is a site that has been occupied from the most ancient times, an advance post for the commercial and military Roman road that runs behind the hillside.

According to tradition, Dagobert II later donated his royal house, a formidable fortress guarding the town of Rouffach, to the bishopric of Strasbourg in recognition of the miraculous cure of his son Siedberg.

Isenbourg thus became one of the favourite residences of the bishops of Strasbourg right up to the French Revolution.

The château then changed use and was sold as private property; the old superstructures were demolished in 1822. Fortunately the 120 metre long 15th and 16th century cradle vaulted cellars have stood the test of time and are actually being used as the restaurant room, the wine cellar and the kitchen.

The oldest representation of the château is the wood engraving published by Sébastien Münster in his cosmography that shows Isenbourg and the town of Rouffach in 1548.