The Château de Helfenstein () is a ruined castle in the commune of Philippsbourg in the Moselle département of France.
History The castle is located 100 m from another castle, the Château du Falkenstein. The castle was mentioned in the 14th century as the property of the Dukes of Lorraine. It passed as a fief to the Wasselonne family and was destroyed around 1435. In 1437, the Bishop of Strasbourg settled a difference between Guillaume de Falkenstein and Frédéric de Thann concerning the demolished fortress, zerbrochene Feste, of Helfenstein.Ad. Malye, "Le château de Helfenstein", Bulletin de la Société d'histoire et d'archéologie de Haguenau 1928/29, pages 32-33.
Following its destruction, the castle effectively disappeared from view and was virtually unknown until 1928 when Ad. Malye discovered and excavated it following research in documents and on the ground.Ad. Malye, "Le château de Helfenstein", Bulletin de la Société d'histoire et d'archéologie de Haguenau 1928/29, pages 9-38.
Today, the site makes an agreeable sporting promenade. The site exhibits very little in the way of remains - among other finds, a well was discovered in 1928.Ad. Malye, "Le château de Helfenstein", Bulletin de la Société d'histoire et d'archéologie de Haguenau 1928/29, page 35 The ruins are state property.
See also List of castles in France
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