Monuments in Switzerland
A guide to 53 Monuments in Switzerland — with descriptions, photos and traveler visits from the NextOnTrip community. Locations spread across 48 cities and towns. Most visited by the community: Burg Friesenberg, Medieval Castle ruin Neuburg, Montorge castle ruin.
-
Tannegg Castle
Dussnang
Tannegg Castle is a ruined medieval castle in the municipality of Fischingen in the Swiss canton of Thurgau, near the village of Dussnang. It is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance and is also an archaeological site. For travellers who enjoy quiet, uncrowded places with real history, it is a rewarding stop in north-eastern Switzerland. Where is Tannegg? The ruins lie in Thurgau, in the area of Dussnang, which has belonged to the municipality of Fischingen since 1972. That year four former municipalities were merged: Dussnang, Fischingen, Oberwangen and Tannegg. The coordinates are roughly 47.430 N, 8.951 E, in the rolling hill country of Thurgau, not far from the borders with the cantons of Zurich and St. Gallen. Who built the castle, and when? According to the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland (HLS), the castle was probably built in 1237 on the order of Heinrich von Tanne, Bishop of Constance. Other sources only give the years of his time in office, 1233 to 1248, so the exact construction date is presented differently depending on the source. The castle's name echoes the bishop's family name. What is its history? In the 14th century a small town grew up beside the castle. Both castle and town burned down in 1407. The castle was rebuilt and became the centre of the Tannegg administrative district (Amt). Church matters in the district always followed the fate of the Dussnang parish. For a century, from 1300 to 1402, the Tannegg bailiwick was firmly in the hands of the Toggenburg family. In 1693 the castle and the whole district passed to Fischingen Abbey, one of the region's important religious centres. What remains today? The following centuries were not kind to the buildings. Parts of the castle complex survived until 1837, when the main tower finally collapsed. Today what remains is a ruin, which according to available descriptions can be visited freely. It is classed as a category A object in the Swiss inventory of cultural property, meaning it is of national importance. Is it worth a visit? Tannegg suits lovers of castles and ruins, fans of medieval Swiss history, and anyone planning a short walk in Thurgau. It is not a developed attraction with tourist facilities. It is a place to look calmly at the remains of a former stronghold and to picture life in a medieval district run from a castle. It pairs well with a visit to nearby Fischingen and its abbey, whose history is closely tied to Tannegg. Frequently asked questions Is entry to the ruins paid? Available descriptions say the ruins are freely accessible. It is wise to check current local information before you go. Does the castle survive intact? No. Only ruins remain. The main tower collapsed in 1837. Who founded the castle? It is credited to Heinrich von Tanne, Bishop of Constance, with construction usually dated to 1237. Is it an important monument? Yes. Tannegg is a Swiss heritage site of national significance and an archaeological site. When did the castle burn down? In 1407 both the castle and the town around it burned. The castle was rebuilt afterwards. Who owned it in later centuries? In 1693 the castle and the Tannegg district became the property of Fischingen Abbey.
-
Neu-Aspermont Castle
Jenins
Neu-Aspermont Castle is a ruined fortress above the village of Jenins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. It is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. For visitors it is one of the more approachable places to see medieval defensive architecture in the region, and you can climb inside its tower. Where is Neu-Aspermont? The ruins stand above Jenins, a small village in Graubünden's part of the Rhine Valley. The coordinates are roughly 47.003 N, 9.565 E. Regional tourism materials present the site as "Ruin Heidiland", reflecting the area's link to the Heidiland brand. Who built the castle, and when? The Lords of Aspermont built it. A knight of that name appears in records as early as 1120, and the family held the castle for generations. Construction dates vary by source. The Graubünden archaeological service dates the core tower to 1232-1238, Wikipedia gives around 1235, and the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland places the complex in the first half of the 13th century. One tourism page goes back as far as the 11th century. A turbulent history In 1284 the castle passed to the Barons of Vaz and later to several families from the Vinschgau valley. In 1499 troops from Graubünden captured it and partly destroyed it. Dietpold von Schlandersberg then rebuilt the castle and tower, and the upper floors of the tower date from the early 16th century. The Rhaetian Leagues bought the lordship in 1536. The castle was abandoned in the late 17th century and fell into ruin during the 18th. From ruin to visitor attraction Captain Ernst Rhomberg bought the castle in 1863, and his family owned it for decades. It later passed to an association and then to a foundation, which carried out conservation work through 2025. Today the site is open to the public. A spiral staircase inside the tower lets you climb up and see the masonry at close range. Good to know before you go The castle is a ruin with national heritage status, so preservation rules apply. It combines well with a walk through Jenins and the surrounding Graubünden vineyards. Check opening hours and access conditions on the Graubünden tourism website before your trip. Frequently asked questions Is Neu-Aspermont fully preserved? No. It is a ruin, but the tower survives well enough to hold a staircase for visitors. When was the castle built? Most sources point to the 13th century, with the core tower dated to 1232-1238. Who looks after it today? A foundation, following earlier ownership by the Rhomberg family and an association, has carried out the conservation work. Is it significant in Switzerland? Yes, it is listed as a heritage site of national significance.
-
Nidau Castle
Nidau
Nidau Castle (Schloss Nidau) is a medieval fortress in the small town of Nidau in the Canton of Bern, right by Lake Biel. It is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. Today it combines administrative use with a small museum, making it a good stop for anyone curious about the history of the Seeland region. How did Nidau Castle come about? The castle was built around 1140 as the seat of the Counts of Nidau. It was a moated stronghold, first mentioned in documents in 1196. The counts controlled the lakeside area and its crossings, and the castle stood as a symbol of their power. What happened to the castle over the centuries? After the Gugler War, Bern and Solothurn took the castle in 1388. It then served as the seat of Bern's bailiff, the official who governed the district on the city's behalf. Over time the building stopped being a true fortress and became an administrative centre. Why did the lake matter so much? The biggest change came with the Jura Water Correction (Juragewässerkorrektion), carried out between 1868 and 1891. It lowered Lake Biel by about 2 metres and put an end to the frequent flooding that had plagued the region. For the castle, the effects were tangible: the southern curtain wall was torn down and the moats were filled in. That is why the building looks different today from the water-surrounded medieval fortress. What can you see in the museum? The Schlossmuseum Nidau, opened in 2004, is housed in the castle. Its four permanent exhibits cover: the Jura Water Correction and its effect on local life, Dr. Johann Rudolf Schneider, the driving figure behind the project, a virtual flyover of the region, "Vision Seeland", added in 2008. The main theme is the long fight against floods and the reshaping of the landscape around the lakes, which many visitors find more engaging than a conventional military display. Practical information The castle stands at Hauptstrasse 6 in Nidau. It also houses the administration of the Biel district, so some rooms are in official use. Museum admission is free, and guided tours can be arranged in advance. Check the current opening hours before you go. Frequently asked questions Is Nidau Castle a listed monument? Yes, it is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. When was it built? Around 1140, with the first written mention in 1196. Can you go inside? Yes, the museum has four permanent exhibits and admission is free. What was the Jura Water Correction? A major hydraulic engineering project from 1868 to 1891 that lowered Lake Biel and reduced flooding. Who owned the castle in the Middle Ages? First the Counts of Nidau, then from 1388 Bern and Solothurn. Who is this visit for? Nidau Castle suits anyone who enjoys local history and wants to see how water shaped life in the region. The visit is short, so it pairs well with a walk by the lake or a trip to the nearby city of Biel.
-
Gilgenberg castle ruin
Zullwil
Gilgenberg castle ruin stands on a rocky ridge above the village of Zullwil in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland. It is a medieval stronghold that served for centuries as a seat of local power, and today it is a freely accessible goal for walks in the Swiss Jura. Where is Gilgenberg castle ruin? The castle sits above Zullwil in north-western Switzerland, in the canton of Solothurn, at roughly 47.38° N and 7.61° E. The ridge gave defenders a wide view of the surroundings and natural protection. Today the same position rewards visitors with pleasant views. How was Gilgenberg castle built? According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the castle was built around 1300 on top of an older structure dating from about 1200. The builders are identified as the lords of Ramstein. The name refers to their coat of arms showing two crossed lilies, called "Gilgen" in the local dialect, which was in use from 1265. The first written mentions of the castle date from 1312, 1315 and 1326. Who ruled the Gilgenberg lordship? A letter of investiture issued in 1371 defined the rights of the Gilgenberg lords. The lordship included Meltingen, Zullwil and Nunningen. It was originally allodial property, meaning it was not held as a fief, yet it was placed under the overlordship of the Bishop of Basel in return for protection. Some accounts link damage to the castle with the Basel earthquake of 1356, though the extent of the damage is not clearly documented. What happened in the 16th century? In 1525, during the Peasants' War, rebellious peasants occupied the castle. In 1527 Hans Imer von Gilgenberg sold the lordship, which passed to the city of Solothurn. The castle then became the seat of a bailiff (Landvogt), an official who administered the surrounding villages on the city's behalf. Why is Gilgenberg a ruin? In 1798, during the upheaval that ended the old order, local residents set the castle on fire. It has remained largely a ruin ever since. Earlier damage and the passage of time have also taken their toll. Has the ruin been preserved? Yes. About forty years ago the walls were restored with support from the federal government and the canton. Apprentice masons carried out much of the work, combining heritage protection with craft training. As a result the surviving sections of wall are secured and the site can be explored. Frequently asked questions Is there an entrance fee? Available information indicates that the ruin is freely accessible to visitors. Can I hold an event here? According to burgenwelt.org, the site can be rented for private events. It is worth confirming details with local organisers. Who built the castle? The lords of Ramstein are most often named. Some English-language sources say they were earlier known as the lords of Brislach, but the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland names the Ramstein family directly. When did the castle stop being a seat of power? After 1527 it was the seat of a Solothurn bailiff. It was burned in 1798 and has been a ruin since. Who is this place for? Anyone who enjoys castles, regional history and walks in the Jura. The ruin pairs the clear story of a medieval lordship with the landscape around Zullwil.
-
Stein Castle
Baden
Stein Castle (Ruine Stein) is a ruined hilltop fortress rising above the spa town of Baden in the Swiss canton of Aargau. Its broken walls stand on a rocky spur over the gorge of the Limmat river and are protected as a heritage site of national significance. What is Stein Castle? Stein is one of the oldest fortifications in this part of Switzerland. It was built on a rocky promontory above the Limmat gorge before the year 1000, so it already stood when Baden first appeared in written records a little after the turn of the millennium. At that time it belonged to the Nellenburg family. Today only ruins remain, and the site is a popular spot for a short walk with a view over the old town. Who owned the castle? The fortress changed hands several times. According to the Aargau inventory of protected monuments, it passed to the Counts of Lenzburg around 1077, and in 1172 to the Counts of Kyburg. In 1264 (some sources give 1263) it fell to the Habsburgs. Under them, Stein became the seat of the administration of Further Austria, the Habsburg lands in the western part of their realm, and it also housed the administration's archive. This made the castle far more than a military outpost: for a time it was a centre of government. What happened in 1415? In 1415 the Swiss Confederates conquered Aargau. Stein Castle was taken after fierce fighting and destroyed. The end of Habsburg rule in the region meant the end of the castle's old role. Rebuilt, then demolished The town of Baden rebuilt the fortress between 1658 and 1670. Its second life was short. During the Second Villmergen War in 1712, the victorious Protestant cantons of Zurich and Bern forced Baden to tear the castle down. Its stones were reused: the Reformed church near today's Bahnhofplatz was built from material taken from the ruins. Since then the castle has remained a ruin. Why visit? A rare chance to walk through almost a thousand years of regional history in one place, from the early medieval lords through the Habsburgs to the religious conflicts of the 18th century. A viewpoint over the old town of Baden and the Limmat valley. An easy excursion on foot from the town centre, well suited to a break between visits to the spa quarter and the historic streets. Frequently asked questions Where is Stein Castle? On a hill above the old town of Baden, in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland. Is it the same as Stein Castle in Rheinfelden? No. Burg Stein in Rheinfelden was a separate island fortress in the Rhine. The ruin described here is the one above Baden. Can you go inside? It is a ruin, so there is no building to tour. Visitors can walk around the remains and enjoy the surroundings. When was it destroyed? First in 1415 during the Swiss conquest of Aargau, and again, after reconstruction, in 1712 when Baden had to demolish it. Who built it? The builders are not recorded. The castle existed before the year 1000 and its earliest known owners were the Nellenburgers.
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.