Anwil Castle Ruin

Anwil Castle Ruin is what remains of a medieval residential tower in Buhwil, a village that has belonged to the municipality of Kradolf-Schönenberg in the Swiss canton of Thurgau since 1996. It is a quiet, little-known stop for anyone who enjoys castle ruins tucked into the green landscape of eastern Switzerland.

What was Anwil Castle?

Anwil was a small fortified residence. Its core was a residential tower: a stone building where a knightly family lived and could also defend itself. Today only wall remnants survive, but they still let visitors read the layout of the former structure. The castle was once dated broadly to the 12th century, yet excavations in 1984 suggested that the first tower was built only in the middle of the 13th century.

What is the history of the site?

According to the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland, the castle in Buhwil belonged to the lords of Helmsdorf from roughly 1463 to around 1600. Afterwards it lost its role as a residence and slowly fell into ruin. That fate was typical for many small castles in the region: as ownership patterns and the lifestyle of the nobility changed, stone towers went out of use, and their masonry was often reused elsewhere.

What about the village of Buhwil?

The village has a far longer record than the tower. It is first mentioned in 838 under the name Puabinwilare. In 1996 Buhwil merged with Kradolf, Neukirch an der Thur and Schönenberg an der Thur to form the municipality of Kradolf-Schönenberg. The area lies in the Thur valley, among meadows, orchards and small woods.

Who looks after the ruin?

The Ruins Cooperative of Kradolf-Schönenberg owns and maintains the site. Archaeological and conservation work took place in 1984, 2005 and 2016. Thanks to this work the walls have been stabilised and the ruin remains safe for visitors.

How to visit

This is a destination for a short outing, not a full day. It pairs well with a walk through the surrounding countryside and visits to other castles and ruins in Thurgau, of which the region has many. Do not expect extensive tourist facilities on site, so bring sturdy shoes and water, and plan your route in advance. The ruin makes a good photo subject, especially in morning or late-afternoon light, when the stone stands out against the greenery.

When you enter the site, remember that the walls are a protected monument. Do not climb them or take stones, because the cooperative maintains the ruin for future generations.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Anwil Castle? In the village of Buhwil, in the municipality of Kradolf-Schönenberg, in the canton of Thurgau in north-eastern Switzerland.

When was it built? Excavations in 1984 suggest the first tower dates from the mid-13th century. Earlier, the castle was linked more generally with the 12th century.

Who owned it? From about 1463 to about 1600, the lords of Helmsdorf.

Who manages the ruin today? The Ruins Cooperative of Kradolf-Schönenberg, which also stands behind the work carried out in 2005 and 2016.

Is the castle fully preserved? No. It is a ruin, and mostly the lower parts of the residential tower's walls survive, uncovered and secured during archaeological work.

Who is this place for? Lovers of medieval history, photographers and anyone looking for quiet places away from Switzerland's main tourist routes.

Summary

Anwil is not a grand fortress, but it shows well what small knightly residences in Thurgau looked like. The mix of archaeology, local history and calm surroundings makes it worth a look during a trip through eastern Switzerland.