Alt Wädenswil Castle

P3

Ruine Alt -Wädenswil

The Alt -Wädenswil is the ruins of a hilltop castle on a hill west of the station Burghalden the Swiss Südostbahn on the territory of the municipality Richterswil, in the canton of Zurich.

History

In a deed of foundation of the monastery driving the Barons of Wädenswil ( Wadinswilere ) in 1130 were mentioned for the first time in a document. Your residence, the castle Alt- Wädenswil, the barons built in the 13th century. The castle was first mentioned in writing in 1265. The built before 1200 Baron tower is the oldest part of the castle. Its outer wall shells are assembled from massive boulders. 1287 sold the last Baron Rudolf III. the absence of descendants, the rule Wädenswil - Today's communities Wädenswil, Richterswil, Schoenberg ZH, ZH huts and Uetikon am See - at the Johanniterhaus Bubikon. Wädenswil was a commandery of St. John. The Johanniterhaus was a 14th-century Teutonic castle with a new trench. The thirteen rooms with dormitory, refectory, convent, a pilgrims' hostel and a chapel served mainly to Komturverwaltung. In the 15th century the whole castle area was surrounded by a turreted wall kennel.

After the Reformation, sold the Hospitallers in 1549 the rule Wädenswil with all rights to the Canton of Zurich. Wädenswil was a bailiwick. For the bailiff 1550-1555 Wädenswil the castle was built. The castle had to be dragged by a Diet decided in 1557 because of Schwyz felt threatened by the enlarged city-state of Zurich. 1900 acquired an initiative committee, the castle grounds and founded in 1902, the Foundation for the Preservation of Old castle -Wädenswil. 1901-1904 made ​​the first excavation work, from 1938 to 1941 and 1983 further excavations.

Plaque

Johanniterhaus 14th century

Baron tower with boulders