Graubünden, land of castles

Bischöfliches Schloss Chur

The bishop’s castle in Chur, built in the 13th century as seat of office and residency. The baroque building as seen today was built on the remains of the mediaeval building in the 17th century.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Haldenstein

Castle Haldenstein, built in the middle of the 12th century as the principal seat of the knights of Haldenstein and used until the 17th century, was destroyed by an earthquake in the 18th century.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Neu-Aspermont

Castle Neu-Aspermont near Jenins. Built as the principal seat of the Aspermont family, it saw frequent changes of ownership. Abandoned in the 2nd half of the 17th century, it quickly began to deteriorate.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Fracstein

The grotto castle of Fracstein at Seewis was built on a spectacular spot to the rock face. A stone barrier wall from the castle all the way down to the Landquart stream meant the entire valley could be blocked off. It is known for the 13th century cut-drawings on its walls.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Ortenstein

Castle Ortenstein in the Domleschg, built strikingly atop a huge rock, was first mentioned in the 14th century. Destroyed during the troubles in the Schams in 1451, it was rebuilt afterwards. The castle is privately owned today and serves as a residence.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Neu Sins/Canova

Castle Neu Sins/Canova in the Domleschg was built in the 13th century by the lords of Vaz and later passed to the Werdenberger family. It, too, was destroyed during the 1451 Schams troubles. A characteristic feature even today is the remaining half of its round tower.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Campell

The castle keep of Campell in Sils/Domleschg was built high above the Albula stream around 1200. This was followed by numerous extensions and adjustments done by its various owners. The castle’s gradual deterioration set in from the 17th century onwards.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Hohenrätien

Castle Hohenrätien in Sils in the Domleschg. The hill of the castle’s site had been inhabited since prehistoric times. A chapel for christenings stood there since the Early Middle Ages. Later on, a parish church was built nearby. The castle’s residential towers date from the 11th–12 century. Its position gave it control over the road through the Viamala gorge.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Rhäzüns

Castle Rhäzüns. As early as 960 this was the site of a defensive post. During the High Middle Ages the castle served as principal seat for the eminent family of the barons of Rhäzüns. In 1497 it was taken over by the Austrian Habsburgs. The castle today is privately owned.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Belfort

Castle Belfort in the Albula municipality. Its oldest parts date from around 1200. The castle was the main seat of the powerful barons of Vaz. After the family died out it became the property of the barons of Toggenburg. In 1499 local Bündner people stormed the castle and burnt it to the ground.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Jörgenberg

Castle Jörgenberg in Waltensburg/Vuorz. The largest castle complex in the Surselva region has its origins as an Early Middle Age defensive position. It consists of a residential tower, a hall (Palas), and a church with a tower as well as an enclosing wall. It was abandoned in the 17th century.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Marmels

Castle Marmels in Surses. The grotto castle was built between 1134 and 1141. It belonged to the family of Marmels, which was in the service of the bishop of Chur. Castle Marmels remained continuously in the hands of the same family until it was abandoned at the end of the 14th century.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Tarasp

Castle Tarasp in Scuol is the largest castle complex of the Lower Engadine. Its origins go back to around 1050. After the noble Tarasp family died out, the castle changed hands several times and eventually went to the barons of Tyrol and the counts of Austria. Its owner today is the artist Not Vital.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Tschanüff

Castle Tschanüff in the Valsot municipality. The first of several phases in the construction of this castle began before 1200. Destroyed by arson no less than three times in its history, it was rebuilt each time: during the Swabian war of 1499, in a popular uprising in 1565, and in the Thirty Years’ War in 1622. It was abandoned in 1780 due to landslides.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Burg Mesocco

Castle Mesocco. Unlike most other castles in the Grisons, Mesocco was highly significant in a military-strategic sense. It was also the principal seat of power in the valley since the 13th century, and considered impregnable unless defeat occurred either „through treason or hunger“. Fearful of its falling into the hands of foreign powers, the Three Leagues razed the castle of the lords of Trivulzio to the ground in 1526.
Photo: Monument preservation Graubünden

Impressum