Neuburg Castle

Neuburg Castle (German: Burg Neuburg) is a ruined hill castle near Untervaz in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It stands at about 600 m above sea level and is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

When and by whom was Neuburg Castle built?

The fortress was raised in the late 13th or early 14th century. Most accounts attribute it to the Tumb von Neuburg barons, a family from Vorarlberg. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland places construction at the end of the 13th century, and the first firm mention in the records dates from 1345. Sources disagree on the exact construction date and on the original builders, and it is unclear whether an earlier castle stood on the site.

What happened to the castle in the Middle Ages?

Neuburg's story is a chain of pledges, feuds and changes of owner:

• 1360 – the castle is pledged as collateral for a loan.
• 1385 – the Tumb family has regained it.
• 1396 – a feud with the Brun family of Rhäzüns leads to a siege.
• 1400 – Johann von Neuburg becomes a vassal of the Bishop of Chur to protect his claim to the castle.
• around 1450 – the Rappenstein (von Mötteli) family acquires it.
• 1496 – it is sold to the Bishop of Chur.
• 1577 – the municipality of Untervaz buys it.

In the 16th century the castle was abandoned and began to fall into ruin.

What can you see at the site?

Surviving remains include part of the palace (palas) on a rectangular plan, and the foundations of the enclosure wall on the north and west sides, including a gate. In the northern part of the courtyard lies a round cistern. Together these are typical elements of a medieval stronghold and help visitors picture the layout of the original complex.

How is Rappenstein Castle connected to Neuburg?

Nearby stands a separate ruin, Rappenstein Castle, described as a cave castle. The two sites share the story of the same family and its successors.

Frequently asked questions

Is Neuburg Castle a ruin? Yes. It was abandoned in the 16th century and gradually collapsed. Parts of the palace, the enclosure wall with a gate and a cistern remain.

Who owns the castle? The municipality of Untervaz bought it in 1577; earlier it had belonged to, among others, the Bishop of Chur.

Where is Neuburg Castle? Near Untervaz in Graubünden, at roughly 600 m above sea level.

Is it a significant monument? Yes, it is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Where did the builders come from? Most accounts point to the Tumb von Neuburg barons of Vorarlberg, though details of the family's origins vary by source.

For anyone interested in the medieval history of Graubünden, Neuburg is a rewarding stop. It shows how Alpine castles were pledged, contested and traded among nobles, the bishopric and a local community. Pair the visit with nearby Rappenstein and the village of Untervaz.