The Hohenbourg originally designated a fortified castle on the top of the mountain, under the Duchy of Alsace. Hohenbourg Abbey was founded in 680 by Sainte Odile on its location, known as Hohenbourg or Altitona. She was the daughter of Aldaric, Duke of Alsace, and Bereswinde. Born blind, Odile would have been hidden for protection from her father, who ordered to kill her. Having regained her sight during her baptism, he would later have offered her his castle. By a privilege of Charlemagne, renewed by Louis the Pious, the monastery of Hohenbourg was protected by imperial immunity.