The castle was originally the stronghold of the lords of Sausenburg, and is built on a hill, 665 metres high, known as the Sausenberg.The counts of Hachberg-Sausenberg moved to Rötteln Castle and established their advocates (vogts) on the Sausenberg.The castle was destroyed in 1678 during the Franco-Dutch War by the army of French Marshal de Créquy.At this point, medieval fortifications could not survive long against the advances in artillery and siege warfare.Today an old circular rampart, a tower and several wall segments remain of the former castle.