Castell Castle

Castell Castle (Schloss Castell) stands in the municipality of Tägerwilen in the canton of Thurgau, in north-eastern Switzerland, close to Lake Constance. It is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. East of the present-day residence lie the ruins of a 12th-century fortress, regarded as one of the largest medieval defensive structures in the Lake Constance region.

What is Castell Castle?

The name covers two separate buildings. One is the ruin of the old stronghold; the other is the later manor built beside it, which remains a private home today. Together they let you follow the site from medieval fortification to a later country estate.

What was the medieval fortress like?

It was raised in the early 12th century by Ulrich I, Bishop of Constance, to hold the lakeside territory, and it ranked among the biggest defensive complexes in this part of Europe. From 1175 the Herren von Kastel, a noble family that took its name from the seat, appear in the records. The fortress was destroyed in 1499 during the Swabian War and was never rebuilt as a stronghold. What remains are the ruined walls, a popular stop on walks around Tägerwilen.

How did the present residence come about?

In 1585 an official from Constance, Junker Konrad, replaced an earlier farmhouse on the spot with a Renaissance manor. That building still forms the core of the complex. In 1790 the estate passed to Daniel von Scherer of St. Gallen. In the 1870s Baron Max von Scherer-Scherburg had the house converted into a Neo-Renaissance castle, which gave it the picturesque look it has today. In 1901 a Scherer heir handed the property to the von Stockar family, who own it to this day.

Can you visit Castell Castle?

The residence is private property, so the interiors are not open like a museum. It is best admired from the outside, from the surrounding paths. The ruins of the old fortress lie in the eastern part of the site and can be reached on a walk from Tägerwilen. The area is part of local hiking routes, and a lookout tower known as the Napoleonturm stands nearby.

Why stop here?

• You see a 12th-century ruin and a Neo-Renaissance castle side by side.
• The site is a clear witness to the history of the Bishopric of Constance and the Swabian War of 1499.
• Its position by Lake Constance makes it easy to combine with a walk or a day out around Konstanz.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Castell Castle? In Tägerwilen, canton of Thurgau, Switzerland, near Konstanz and Lake Constance.

When was the medieval fortress built? In the early 12th century, on the initiative of Ulrich I, Bishop of Constance.

Who destroyed the fortress? It was destroyed in 1499 during the Swabian War.

Who lives in the castle today? The residence has belonged to the von Stockar family since 1901 and is private.

Is the castle a protected monument? Yes, it is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.