Kindhausen ruin

Kindhausen ruin is what remains of a medieval castle in the municipality of Bergdietikon, in the Swiss canton of Aargau. It stands close to the small lake Egelsee, on a long ridge, and its walls were uncovered in the 20th century. For history fans and short walks it is a quiet stop that shows what a small noble residence looked like in the later Middle Ages.

Where is Kindhausen ruin?

The ruin lies in Bergdietikon, canton Aargau, near Egelsee. Its coordinates are roughly 47.3906 N, 8.3661 E. The castle was built on an elongated ridge, which gave natural protection and views of the surroundings. It is classed as a castle ruin (German: Burgruine).

When was it built and who owned it?

According to the cantonal heritage office, the castle was built in the second half of the 13th century. The sources do not name its owner. The most likely candidates are the neighbouring lords of Schönenwerd, but that is an assumption, not a documented fact. Missing records about the family are typical of small castles in the region that left few written traces.

How was the castle destroyed?

The castle lasted less than a hundred years. A Zurich chronicle from 1476 reports that Kindhausen, like the nearby Hasenburg, was destroyed by the Zurichers on 9 September 1353. The destruction therefore falls in the mid-14th century, and the stronghold was never rebuilt. Over time forest covered the walls and the exact position of the site was forgotten.

Rediscovery and conservation in 1936

For a long time the castle's location was only a guess. Certainty came with the 1936 excavation, carried out by a voluntary labour service (German: freiwilliger Arbeitsdienst). It revealed a complete, though small, castle, and the walls were conserved so they can still be seen today. The history of the research is also described in the local yearbook Neujahrsblatt Dietikon of 1957.

How is the fortress laid out?

The complex spreads over two sections of the ridge. The main defensive structure, the core of the castle, stands on the highest point, while the lower part complements it. The layout follows the terrain, as is typical for ridge castles. The whole site is compact, so a visit takes only a short while.

Heritage protection

Since 1947 the ruin has been under cantonal heritage protection in Aargau. It is listed in the cantonal monument inventory under the code DSI-BED001 as a 13th-century castle.

Frequently asked questions

When was Kindhausen castle built? In the second half of the 13th century. It was destroyed in 1353.

Who destroyed it? According to a Zurich chronicle of 1476, the Zurichers did, on 9 September 1353.

Who owned it? It is not known for certain. The lords of Schönenwerd are the most likely candidates, but this is only an assumption.

When was the ruin uncovered? In 1936, during work by a voluntary labour service, which also conserved the walls.

Is the ruin protected? Yes, it has had cantonal protection since 1947.

Is there a legend about Egelsee? Local tales mention a knight and peasants at Egelsee, but this is folklore, not documented history.