Helfenberg Castle

Helfenberg Castle is a medieval castle ruin in the Swiss canton of Thurgau, in the municipality of Hüttwilen near the village of Uerschhausen. Only a stump of the tower wall and a line of boulders remain, yet the site is a rewarding quiet stop for anyone interested in local history and the surrounding landscape.

Where is Helfenberg Castle?

The ruins stand in marshy ground between Lake Hüttwil and Lake Nussbaumen, in the Seebachtal valley. The nearest village, Uerschhausen, lies on the Nussbaumersee and has belonged to Hüttwilen (Steckborn district) since 1997. It is still a largely intact farming village.

What is the history of the castle?

The first written record of the castle dates from 1331. Excavations in 1980, however, dated parts of the structure as far back as the 12th century, so the stronghold may be considerably older than the documents suggest. By 1413 it was already a ruin, and sources of that time mention only a castle stable, which suggests the complex was no longer fully habitable.

The later fate of the surrounding estates was tied to church institutions. The Tanneggeramt passed into other dependencies and was sold to Fischingen Abbey in 1693. The main tower stood until 1837, when it was demolished and its stones were reused to build a bridge. That explains why so little of the castle survives today.

What can you see on site?

You can still see a section of the former tower wall and a row of boulders. There are no reconstructions or large visitor facilities, so this is better suited to a peaceful stop on a walk than to a half-day outing. The castle lies in a protected natural landscape, the Naturparadies Seebachtal.

How do you reach the ruins?

From the car park between the two lakes, it is a short walk to the ruins. The Naturparadies Seebachtal trail passes nearby, so a visit combines easily with a hike along the lake shores.

Frequently asked questions

Is Helfenberg Castle preserved intact? No. It is a ruin, with only a stump of tower wall and a line of boulders left. The main tower was demolished in 1837.

When was the castle built? It was first mentioned in writing in 1331, but 1980 excavations point to origins in the 12th century.

When did it become a ruin? It was already described as a ruin in 1413.

Is it a long walk from the car park? No, a short walk leads from the car park between the two lakes.

Who owned the area in the 17th century? In 1693 the Tanneggeramt was sold to Fischingen Abbey.