Haut-Barr Castle, Alsace, France

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Haut-Barr Castle, Vosges, France

Haut-Barr Castle is a medieval fortress that looms at an altitude of 450 metres, in northern Alsace. Built in 1170, it underwent significant transformations and restorations over the centuries. Its construction was initiated by the bishops of Strasbourg with the purpose of overseeing the Zorn Valley and the Alsace plain, earning it the evocative nickname 'the eye of Alsace.' On a clear day, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the spire of Strasbourg Cathedral. The castle, constructed on three rocks, is connected by a bridge, known as the 'Devil's Bridge'. Legend has it that its construction is attributed to the devil as it would have been impossible for anyone else to build such a sturdy bridge.