"}" id="mwBg">
Steinsberg Castle is a ruined castle in the former municipality of Ardez (now Scuol) of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. [1]
During the High Middle Ages a fortified church with a ring wall and perhaps a tower was built near the current castle. By the end of the 12th century, these fortifications were demolished and a new castle was built above formerly fortified plateau and the Church of St. Lazius. [2] It was probably built for a local noble family. In 1209 Albert von Frickingen sold all his estates and villages as well as the castle above Ardez to the Bishop of Chur. [3] Count Albert von Tirol also had a claim on the lands, but in 1228 relinquished his claim to the Bishop of Chur. The castle became the center of the ecclesiastical estates in the area. In 1348 the Bishop pledged the castle and lands to the Planta family for a loan of 150 Marks. In 1359, the Bishop again pledged the castle to the Lords of Katzenstein for 700 Gulden. [4] In 1411 it was pledged to Georg Scheck. Despite attempts from the Bishop to regain ownership of the castle, the Scheck family retained it until 1502. [3]
In 1499, during the Swabian War, the castle was captured by imperial troops on 25 March. They burned the castle and the current owner Balthasar Scheck was taken to Merano and executed. In 1502 the heavily damaged castle was pledged to Hans von Planta. He and his son spent the remainder of the 16th century trying to get the Bishop of Chur to pay interest owed on the loan. At some point during that century, they abandoned the ruined castle. As the Three Leagues grew in power, they repeatedly denied the Bishop the right to appoint a vogt over Steinsberg. The nearby church was abandoned during the Protestant Reformation. In 1861 Emanuel von Planta-Wildenberg purchased the ruins and surrounding lands from the Bishop for 1000 Gulden. [4] The ruins were repaired in 1964 [4] and 1985. [5]
The castle is located on a hill outside the village of Ardez. The top of the hill has about 100 by 100 meters (330 ft × 330 ft) of space for buildings with steep sides all around. The castle occupies the highest point on the hill. Its four-story keep was about 6.5 by 8.5 meters (21 ft × 28 ft) in size. [4] The style of the stone work changes above the second story, indicating that it was either added later or repaired. [2] The high entrance was to the south on the second floor. The upper stories have window seats from the 14th century and were either added then, or they were part of the new construction or repair. A residential wing was built east of the tower, against the ring wall. The castle was probably encircled by the ring wall, though only traces remain. [4]
The ruins of the Romanesque church of St. Luzius are north of the castle. Unusually, the nave of this church runs north and south. [2]
Castelmur Castle is a castle in the village of Bondo in the municipality of Bregaglia of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The fortifications at Castelmur may be, after the Three Castles of Bellinzona, the most important example of medieval valley fortifications in modern Switzerland.
Belfort Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Brienz/Brinzauls of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Greifenstein Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Filisur of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is included on the register of the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance.
Brandis Castle or Maienfeld Castle is a castle in the municipality of Maienfeld of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Rietberg Castle is a castle in the municipality of Pratval of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. It was the site of the murder of Pompeius Planta in 1621 by Jörg Jenatsch during the conflicts between Catholics and Protestants known as the Bündner Wirren.
Hochjuvalt Castle is a castle in the municipality of Rothenbrunnen of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Sogn Parcazi Castle and Church is a ruined castle and fortified church in the municipality of Trin of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Jörgenberg Castle is a castle in the municipality of Waltensburg/Vuorz of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Planta-Wildenberg Castle is a castle in the municipality of Zernez of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
Belmont Castle is a ruined castle near Flims, Graubünden, Switzerland. It was the home of the Barons of Belmont.
Heinzenberg Castle German: Burg Heinzenberg is a ruined castle in the municipality of Cazis in the Viamala Region of the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Baldenstein Castle is a castle in the municipality of Sils im Domleschg of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
San Peder Castle is a ruined stone tower and a ruined church in the former municipality of Sent of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Guardaval Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Madulain of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
The Planta Tower is a tower house in the center of the municipality of Zuoz in the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Lichtenstein Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Haldenstein of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Wynegg Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Malans of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Strassberg Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Churwalden of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
Rhäzüns Castle is a castle near Rhäzüns, Graubünden, Switzerland.
Schwarzenstein Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Obersaxen Mundaun of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.