The domain of the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle stands on a rocky outcrop whose shapes it hugs. Its walls stretch on an area 885 ft long (270 m) and 131 ft wide (40 m) on average. With its 203 ft (62 m) in height, the keep dominates the plain of Alsace. During the fortress' history, it used to monitor the trade routes downhill and keep watch between the Vosges mountains and the Black Forest. Built during the 12th century, destroyed in 1633, and renovated from 1900 to 1908, the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle is testament to Alsace's turbulent history.