Burgstelle Neu Meldegg

Burgstelle Neu Meldegg is the site of a medieval castle in the municipality of Gaiserwald, next to Abtwil in the canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland. No finished castle awaits visitors here. It suits walkers who enjoy reading a landscape and looking for traces of history away from the main routes.

What is Burgstelle Neu Meldegg?

"Burgstelle" means the place where a castle once stood. The St. Gallen cantonal archaeology inventory lists Neu Meldegg as a fortified complex with sectional defences (Abschnittsbefestigungen), built around 1300. Records mention it as destroyed after 1450. It appears on the canton's list of protected archaeological sites, because castles document the social, political and economic life of the medieval region.

Who held it?

The name comes from the Meldegg family, lower nobility active from the 13th to the 15th century. They held two castles, Alt Meldegg (Old) and Neu Meldegg (New), both in present-day Gaiserwald. According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the family ran into financial trouble in the late 14th century. In 1400 Hans von Meldegg sold the family's coat of arms, shield and helmet to a Konstanz physician, Jos Reichlin, and his descendants later styled themselves Reichlin von Meldegg.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The site lies near Abtwil, the administrative seat of Gaiserwald, on the edge of the St. Gallen urban area. Coordinates are roughly 47.425° N, 9.312° E. Trains and buses link St. Gallen with Abtwil; from there you continue on foot along local roads and forest paths. There is no entry fee or opening time.

What will you see?

Expect the footprint of a castle, not a restored ruin with rooms. The terrain is wooded, and traces show up in the shape of the ground rather than as signed walls. Bring a topographic map or an app with a heritage layer, since signage can be sparse.

What else is nearby?

Gaiserwald has other castle sites, including Aetschberg, Spisegg and Alt Meldegg, so you can link several into one hike. The old town of St. Gallen, with its Baroque abbey library, is a short trip from Abtwil.

Frequently asked questions

Can I walk onto the Burgstelle Neu Meldegg site? It is a protected archaeological site. Visit respectfully, do not dig, and leave any finds in place.

When was the castle built? Around 1300. Sources record it as destroyed after 1450.

How does Neu Meldegg differ from Alt Meldegg? They are two castles of the same family, an older and a newer one, both in Gaiserwald.

Is it the same as Schloss Meldegg in Walzenhausen? No. Schloss Meldegg in Walzenhausen is a separate place; only the family name connects them.