Obertagstein Castle

Obertagstein Castle is a ruined medieval stronghold perched above the town of Thusis in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. Its remaining walls stand on a rocky spur, and from the paths nearby it is easy to picture how knights lived in this Alpine valley some seven centuries ago.

Where is Obertagstein Castle?

The ruins sit on a hill above Thusis, in a region that for centuries oversaw important routes through the Alps. The castle occupies a rock outcrop whose sides drop vertically on every side. That setting gave defenders natural protection and a commanding view of the surroundings. A second fortress, Untertagstein, lies close by, so the two are often mentioned together.

When was it built, and by whom?

The construction date is usually given as around 1300. Sources do not fully agree on the builders. One account credits the Masein/Rialt family in the 13th century, while another says the founders are simply unknown. The first written mention dates from 1322, when the castle was still called Taxstein.

Who owned it?

Accounts of the owners differ. In one telling, the male line of the Rialt family died out in 1322 and the Bärenburg family inherited the castle. Another stresses that the Bärenburgs were ministerials, meaning unfree knights serving a higher noble house, in this case the Vaz family. After the Vaz line died out in 1337, they are said to have become vassals of the Counts of Toggenburg, and the castle went to the Tumb family. For visitors, it is a good illustration of how tangled power relations could be in the medieval Alps.

What happened to the castle?

In the 15th century a fire gutted the castle and it was abandoned. In 1512 the ruins of Obertagstein were recorded among the property of Cazis Priory. It has remained a ruin ever since.

What can you see today?

The complex is small, roughly 15 by 15 metres, so the ruin itself takes little time to explore. One charming detail is that hikers were already visiting as early as the 16th century, scratching their initials and dates into the plaster of the walls. The castle is listed as a Swiss cultural property of regional significance (class B).

Frequently asked questions

Is Obertagstein a working castle? No. It is a ruin left by a 15th-century fire, with no surviving interiors.

How long does a visit take? The site is very small, about 15 by 15 metres, so the ruin needs only a short stop. Most of your time will go on getting there.

Is the castle protected? Yes. It is listed as a Swiss class B cultural property, meaning it is of regional significance.

How does Obertagstein differ from Untertagstein? They are two separate castles close to each other. Obertagstein is the upper one, and its ruins are the subject of this page.

Where does the old name Taxstein come from? That was the name used in the first known mention, in 1322. The current name was adopted later.

Who is it for?

Obertagstein suits lovers of medieval history, photographers of ruins, and walkers exploring the Thusis area. It is not a developed attraction with facilities, but a quiet, rocky viewpoint with a history reaching back to around 1300. Consider combining the visit with other castles in the valley, since Graubünden is known for a dense network of medieval strongholds that once guarded the mountain roads. Check the weather before you set out and wear sturdy footwear, because a rocky spur can be slippery after rain and the ruins lack the safety features typical of managed tourist sites.