Schauenberg Castle

Schauenberg Castle is a ruined medieval fortress on top of the Schauenberg hill in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. It stands above the former municipality of Hofstetten, which merged into Elgg in 2018, in the Winterthur district. It suits anyone who enjoys castle ruins and quiet hilltop views.

Where is Schauenberg Castle?

The ruin sits on the Schauenberg hill, north-east of Elgg. The former municipality of Hofstetten stretched from here down to the Eulach valley, so the castle once overlooked the whole area. Forest and field paths lead up to the site, and the grounds are open to everyone.

What is the history of the castle?

According to the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland, a wooden stronghold stood on the hill around 1200. In the second half of the 13th century a stone tower replaced it. One account gives 1260 as the first written mention, while a knight named Rudolf von Schauenberg appears in records as early as 1242. The castle took its name from this family.

The fortress met its end in 1342 to 1344. Sources differ on the exact year, but they agree it was destroyed by Habsburg troops together with men from Zurich and Winterthur. The nearby castle of Hohenlandenberg was destroyed in the same conflict. The stronghold was never rebuilt and slowly fell into ruin.

What can you see today?

The conserved remains occupy a two-part summit surrounded by a rampart and a ditch. You can see the foundations of a large residential tower from around 1300. The walls have been secured by conservation work, so it is easy to read the layout of the old castle and imagine it in the Middle Ages.

The site is protected as a heritage monument. Entry is free and there are no opening hours, so you can visit at any time of day.

Who is it for?

• fans of castles and medieval Swiss history,
• anyone looking for a short, peaceful outing from Elgg or Winterthur,
• photographers who like ruins set among woods and hills,
• families who want to combine a walk with a history lesson.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No. The ruin can be visited free of charge, with no opening restrictions.

When was the castle destroyed? Sources say 1342 or 1344. Habsburg troops and forces from Zurich and Winterthur took part.

What remains of the castle? Conserved remains on a two-part summit with a rampart and ditch, plus the foundations of a large residential tower from around 1300.

Which municipality is it in? Elgg, in the canton of Zurich. The former municipality of Hofstetten was merged into it in 2018.

Where does the name come from? From the von Schauenberg family. A Rudolf von Schauenberg appears in sources from 1242.

Bring sturdy shoes, because the paths climb uphill and the ruin lies away from built-up areas. The trip combines easily with a visit to Elgg and the Winterthur countryside, where traces of other old strongholds, including Hohenlandenberg, can be found. For anyone interested in regional history, it is a good stop that shows how powerful families and towns competed for influence in the 14th century.