Bitche Citadel (Bitsch)

En un regard

Le château en bref

Bitche Citadel overlooks the town of Bitche, in Moselle. The site first appears in sources around 1170 (Bitis Castrum). The castle, partly destroyed during the Peasants' War at the beginning of the 16th century, was taken in 1634 by Richelieu's troops after a ten-day siege. Vauban carried out major fortification works there from 1679 to 1697; the fortress was dismantled in 1698 under the Treaty of Ryswick, then rebuilt from 1738 to 1765 under Bombelles and Cormontaigne. It withstood the siege of 1870-1871, was modernised by the Germans until 1900 and suffered damage in 1944-1945. Listed as a monument historique since 1979, it houses a museum and an underground route devoted to its history.