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About this place
Alt Aspermont Castle is a ruined hill castle in the municipality of Trimmis, in the Swiss canton of Graubünden, about 5 km north of Chur. It was once among the largest castles in the canton, but only a few small remains survive today.
What is Alt Aspermont?
The site is a former medieval stronghold above the Rhine valley near Chur, at roughly 46.913 N, 9.572 E. The ruins stand about 180 metres above the Molinära estate. The word "Alt" (old) sets it apart from the later seats of the Aspermont family, who moved elsewhere.
Who built the castle?
According to research, it was built in the 12th century as the family seat of the Aspermont knights. They were ministeriales, unfree knights serving a higher lord, in this case the Bishop of Chur. The family name first appears in records in 1149, when Ulrich and Schwicker von Aspermont are mentioned.
What was its role?
The castle was the centre of the episcopal lordship of Aspermont, which covered four villages: Zizers, Igis, Trimmis and Untervaz. The Molinära farmstead belonged to the castle until the family's move to Jenins in the middle of the 13th century.
In 1275, Bishop Conrad III of Belmont handed Old Aspermont to Baron Walter IV of Vaz. By 1299 it had returned to the diocese of Chur. The bailiffs who administered the lordship were based at the castle until 1524.
Why did it fall into ruin?
The Ilanz Articles of 1524 and 1526 replaced the old lordship with the jurisdiction of the Five Villages. The castle lost its administrative purpose and gradually decayed. Only a few stretches of wall remain, and the Letzi, the defensive wall that ran to the west, has vanished completely.
What to expect on a visit
Do not expect an extensive complex. This is a spot for people interested in medieval Graubünden who enjoy tracing old fortifications in the landscape. It pairs well with a visit to the nearby Molinära estate and the town of Chur, often described as the oldest town in Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Alt Aspermont Castle? In Trimmis, canton of Graubünden, about 5 km north of Chur.
Is the castle well preserved? No. Only a few small ruins remain, though it was once one of the largest castles in Graubünden.
When was it built? According to research, in the 12th century. The Aspermont family is first recorded in 1149.
Who owned it? The Aspermont family, in the service of the Bishop of Chur. In 1275 it passed to Baron Walter IV of Vaz and in 1299 returned to the diocese of Chur.
When did it lose its importance? Bailiffs resided there until 1524, and the reforms of 1524 and 1526 sealed its decline.
Who is it for? Castle enthusiasts, Swiss history fans and quiet explorers around Chur who do not need extensive ruins.
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