Wulp Castle

Wulp Castle (Burgruine Wulp) is a medieval ruin on a wooded hill above the Küsnachter Tobel gorge, in the municipality of Küsnacht, canton of Zurich. Entry is free and the walk from the village centre is short, which makes it an easy outing from Lake Zurich.

What is Wulp Castle?

The castle dates to the High Middle Ages. Written sources are scarce, so much of what is known comes from excavations. Researchers found that the stronghold was inhabited from the 11th to the 13th century. The hill also holds traces of settlement older than the castle itself, including remains of Bronze Age palisades.

What is its history?

The chronicle of Muri Abbey mentions a castle near Zurich, but it is not certain this refers to Wulp. A man named Eghart of Küsnacht is cited as owner in the late 11th century. The fortress's end is linked to the feud with the Regensberg barons in 1267–1268. Several theories exist for its abandonment, yet only destruction by Zurich citizens in 1267 is backed by documents. The land later passed to the Mülner family, Zurich knights.

What can you see today?

Sections of wall survive, rising to roughly 3.5 m in places. The standout feature is an unfinished tower on the north-east edge with an unusual teardrop plan. There is a fire pit on site but no food service, so bring your own provisions.

How was the ruin rediscovered?

The Verschönerungsverein Küsnacht (a local beautification society) started the project in 1918. Excavations ran from 1920 to 1923, and the ruin opened to the public on 24 May 1924. The site was placed under federal protection in 1923. Further digs followed in 1961–62 and 1980–82, with wall conservation in 1977–78. Christian Bader published the full study in 1998 (Swiss Castle Association).

How do you get there?

On foot, walk from Küsnacht station through the Küsnachter Tobel. Alternatively take the bus to the Allmend terminus and follow Schmalzgruebstrasse up a short stretch to the ruin. There are no opening hours or fees.

When should you visit?

The ruin is accessible all year, but spring to autumn is the most pleasant, when the gorge paths are dry. In summer the forest provides shade on the climb.

FAQ

Is Wulp Castle free to enter? Yes. The site is open to everyone with no time restrictions.

Are there restaurants nearby? Not at the ruin, only a fire pit. Buy supplies in Küsnacht before you set off.

How old is the castle? It is High Medieval and was inhabited from the 11th to the 13th century.

Who studied the ruin? Excavations took place in 1920–23, 1961–62 and 1980–82, and Christian Bader published a monograph in 1998.