Burg Strahlegg

Burg Strahlegg is a medieval castle in the hamlet of Strahlegg, part of the municipality of Fideris in the Prättigau valley, canton of Graubünden. Today it is a historic monument, a sculptor's workshop and a small gallery in one, and visitors can see it on a guided tour.

Where is Burg Strahlegg?

The hamlet of Strahlegg sits on a terrace above the valley. The Arieschbach gorge separates it from the village of Fideris. The castle stands beside the old valley road that ran from Fideris to Küblis, one of the historic routes through the Prättigau. The area is good for walking, and the region promotes marked footpaths, including a route linking Fideris with Strahlegg.

What is the history of the castle?

According to the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland (HLS), the castle dates from the first half of the 13th century. In the 14th century it belonged to the Streiff family. From 1403 the Counts of Toggenburg, a powerful feudal house in medieval Graubünden, took it over. It was abandoned during the 15th century. Sovereign rights over it lay with the lordship of Castels, which is why the two sites are often discussed together.

Sources differ on what 1403 marks: the regional tourism site treats it as the first documented mention, while the HLS treats it as the moment the Toggenburg counts acquired the castle. Around 1802 the castle was depicted, together with Castels, in an engraving by Johann Balthasar Bullinger and Heinrich Füssli. A copy is held by the Swiss national archives.

What can I see today?

The present owner, Marco Walli, is a carver and wood sculptor. He bought the castle about fifty years ago, and the restoration took eight years. The tower now has a roof, stairs and floors, so it can be entered. Inside, it serves as an exhibition space for the owner's carved works.

Can I visit the castle?

Castle and studio tours are offered to interested individuals and groups. The available sources give no opening hours, prices or booking rules. Before you go, contact the owner or check the Prättigau tourism website. The postal address is 7235 Fideris.

Frequently asked questions

Is Burg Strahlegg a ruin? No. The tower has been restored and has a roof, stairs and floors.

What century is the castle from? The first half of the 13th century.

Who owns it? A private owner, the sculptor Marco Walli, who shows his own work inside.

Is it the same as Strahlegg near Amden? No. A different site with the same name exists in the canton of St. Gallen and is unrelated to the castle in Fideris.

How is it connected to Castels castle? Sovereign rights over Strahlegg lay with the lordship of Castels, so the two are often presented together.