Festung Reuenthal

Fort Reuenthal in Full-Reuenthal, canton Aargau, is a Swiss border fortification from the 1930s that now welcomes visitors as a fortress museum. It sits on a hillside above the Rhine, right at the German border, facing the town of Waldshut across the river.

Why was Fort Reuenthal built?

Construction began in spring 1937, and by April 1939 the fort was finished and already manned. It was the first artillery work on Switzerland's northern front to be operational before the Second World War broke out. Part of the Swiss border defence line, its job was to stop an enemy from crossing the Rhine downstream of the Albbruck-Dogern weir, where a hydroelectric plant stands.

The main armament was a pair of 7.5 cm fortress guns, model 1938. The fort was first designed for a crew of 90; by 1944 the planned garrison had grown to 150. Some positions are disguised under superstructures that look like ordinary houses, so the fort blends into the landscape. The guns were removed in 1979 and the army closed the site in 1988.

What can you see inside?

The museum presents the interior as it was during the wartime mobilisation of 1939-1945: command rooms, a kitchen, soldiers' quarters, a medical section and original combat equipment. It gives a clear picture of daily life for a garrison living underground. The tunnels are cool and damp, so bring a warm layer even in summer.

How to get there and when to visit

The address is Panoramaweg, 5324 Full-Reuenthal. The village lies on the Rhine between Koblenz and Leibstadt and is easy to reach by car or regional transport from the Koblenz area. The fort is open seasonally, April to October; listings point to Saturday afternoons, with group visits arranged separately. Hours and prices change, so check festungsmuseum.ch before you travel.

The Swiss Military Museum is also in Full. A combined ticket for both sites is offered on Saturdays, so you can see vehicles and weapons plus the fortress in a single trip.

Frequently asked questions

When was Fort Reuenthal built? Work ran from 1937 to 1939, and the crew moved in during April 1939.

Is it still a military site? No. The army shut it down in 1988 and it now operates as a museum.

What weapons did it have? Two 7.5 cm fortress guns plus machine gun positions; the cannons were taken out in 1979.

Can I combine it with another museum? Yes. The Swiss Military Museum is in the same village, and a joint ticket is valid on Saturdays.