The castle occupies a small sandstone eminence on the northern flank of the Kienberg, 675 metres above sea level. It was built illegally, shortly before 1262, by Albrecht Beger, a minister (knight-serf/non-noble knight) of the bishopric of Strasbourg, on land belonging to the town of Obernai.
In 1289, King Rudolph of Habsburg had to intervene to regularize the situation: the «Bergfels» was returned to Bourcard Beger with the agreement of Obernai. Nothing is known about the castle until 1434; it is then a fief of empire and it is said to be in ruins – “die zarge Birkenveltz”, “the ruin Birkenfels” – without being able to define from what date. In 1441, the Begers concluded a Castral Peace (co-ownership) for two of their castles: Geispolsheim and Schwarzenberg. There is no mention of Birkenfels, which suggests that he is still in ruins. A squire was mentioned there in 1465\. Birkenfels is again described as ruined in 1521 and it does not appear to have been rebuilt thereafter. Archaeolog

Monument historique & Château, hôtel urbain, palais, manoir

Access: Parking at the crossroads of the Bloss where cross the D 854 going to Mont Sainte-Odile and the D 426 going from Barr to Mont Sainte-Odile. From the crossroads, walk along the path (green ring towards Birkenfels) that joins the marked route of the blue cross leading to the castle.