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About this place
Alt Wädenswil Castle is the largest castle ruin in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. It lies in the municipality of Richterswil on Lake Zurich and is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
What is this place?
Today Alt Wädenswil is a ruin, but it tells the story of a medieval lord's seat that later became a commandery of a knightly order. It stands in Richterswil, canton Zurich, at roughly 47.2132° N, 8.6846° E, and takes its name from the family that built it.
Who built the castle?
The core of the fortress is a west tower, raised around 1200 by the Freiherren (barons) von Wädenswil as the seat of the Zurich branch of the family. Ditches protected the site. The castle was therefore a local noble stronghold first, not a Hospitaller property from the start.
The Johanniter years
In 1287 the castle and the Wädenswil lordship passed to the Johanniter (Knights Hospitaller) commandery of Bubikon, when Rudolf sold Burg Alt-Wädenswil and the surrounding lordship. Around 1330 the order established its own commandery here. A new building went up at that time, and it sometimes also served as a hospital.
Strengthening the defences
Around the middle of the 15th century an outer enclosure wall with a Zwinger (a walled outer ward) and four towers was built beyond the old ditch system. This phase shows the castle remained an important defensive and administrative site for a long time.
What happened next?
In 1549 the Johanniter sold the castle and lordship to the city of Zurich. Since 1900 the site has belonged to a foundation that looks after it. Archaeological excavations took place in 1900–1904, 1938–1941 and 1983. Finds, including late medieval stove tiles, are held by the Swiss National Museum.
Who should visit?
The ruin suits anyone interested in medieval history, knightly orders or Swiss castles. It pairs well with a walk around the Lake Zurich shore. Visitors can see what remains of the walls, the tower and the later fortifications, and trace how a family stronghold turned into a monastic-military commandery.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Alt Wädenswil? In the municipality of Richterswil, canton Zurich, Switzerland.
When was the castle founded? Its oldest part, the west tower, dates to around 1200.
Who owned it? First the Freiherren von Wädenswil, from 1287 the Johanniter of Bubikon, and from 1549 the city of Zurich. A foundation has owned the site since 1900.
Is it an important monument? Yes. It is a heritage site of national significance and the largest castle ruin in the canton of Zurich.
Have there been archaeological digs? Yes, in 1900–1904, 1938–1941 and 1983.
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