Radegg Castle Ruins

Wilchingen, Switzerland

Radegg was a spur castle built around the year 1200 and destroyed around the year 1300. It is located high above the Wangental on a spur of the Rossberg which drops off steeply on three sides in Osterfingen in the municipality of Wilchingen.

Little is known about their origin and destruction nor about those who had built the castle, the barons von Radegg. This family is first mentioned in 1188 with a reference to Heinrich Scado. A knight Rudolf nobilis dictus Schade de Radegg is documented around the year 1225. In the 13th century there existed, in addition to the barons von Radegg, a second family of the same name. The bourgeois family Schad von Radegg settled in Schaffhausen in the Late Middle Ages. This makes it difficult to firmly assign individuals to the Ruins of Radegg. This baronial family died out in 1333. According to Johann Jakob Rüeger, chronicler of the history of Schaffhausen, the Randecker family was related to the lords of the castles of Burg Randeck, Randenburg and Schloss Randegg.

The remains of the walls still visible today were not built before 1200. Whether or not there was a previous wooden construction on this site cannot be excluded, but also cannot be demonstrated. The castle was presumably destroyed shortly after 1300. By whom and why is unclear. On the inside of the castle, the limestone has reddened, which is suggestive of a fire. One reason for the destruction could be that the von Radegg family had attempted to protect the Rheinau Abbey from the claims of the neighboring von Krenkingen family. In addition, arrowheads and crossbow bolts were discovered during excavations.

The castle was built along a line. It comprised a massive tower, a courtyard with a cistern and a second tower. The eastern defensive walls are up to four meters thick, whereas the southern walls facing the steep Wangental are only 2.8 meters thick. The building plan, which includes embossed corner blocks and massive stone blocks, is indicative of a construction date around 1200. The northeastern plateau is protected by ramparts and moats.In addition, there are still visible traces of earlier mining of materials.

Hiking trails lead from Osterfingen through the Wangental to Bad Osterfingen. It is a steep climb directly up to the ruins. The second path runs less steeply from Osterfingen through the Haartel Valley to the Rossberghof. From there it takes about 30 minutes to the ruins. The site is freely accessible with the proper caution. There is a rest area and fire pit at the ruins.

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Details

Founded: c. 1200
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in Switzerland

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Lisä (4 months ago)
From the Lindenhof stop it's 36 minutes+ up a small slope. It's okay in itself, but you're running for a long time in the blazing sun. There are small sections with bushes in between. As often mentioned in reviews, not good signage. Google Maps pointed me to the busy road and wanted me to somehow climb into the bushes. (?) I then took the normal hiking trail, which was very long and steep. Unfortunately, I walked past the castle because the castle hiking trail was quite hidden and just a trail. It's a shame, I was very happy.
Stefan S. (16 months ago)
A worth seeing but remote ruin. The moat and the main castle are still well preserved. The complex must have been very large with the outer bailey. You cross a large ditch on the way to the castle. With these 2 moats and the 3m thick palace wall, the castle must have been difficult to crack. We started from the Bohnerzpfad where there are public parking spaces. The path to the ruins takes a good 20 to 25 minutes. Don't be surprised, but it goes downhill a bit and then goes uphill again. I wouldn't advise anyone to go from the valley up to the castle. If you want to stop at the Rossbergschenke, you should of course go to the castle from there, as time goes on there's no point.
Jürgen Krause (19 months ago)
It's just gigantic - this nature, the colors, impressions and views. It's best to start at the "Im See" car park. Good footwear is a MUST. First go to the biotope - your heart opens. After crossing the road: keep left, right into the forest. In addition, you can also walk along the wide path “next to the water”. Enjoy the peace, be quiet, what colors. You can hear the babbling of the stream, the chirping of the birds - just listen to the language and voices of nature. Always upwards. At the fork: keep left, half left, straight ahead after the blue arrow. Then it comes, the ruins. But: we are not there yet. We still have to ON this thing: then the moment comes - this view. In good weather: Alpine views. And again - enjoy the peace and quiet. Think about WHAT you see - even in secret. Yes, even the little chapel near Albleiten greets you on the mighty tree - you can see all the way to Erzingen. The place with the huge, impressive old building - and everything that goes with it. A sight that moves me. And I keep saying and thinking: we live where others go on vacation. And I gratefully appreciate it. Do vacationers - who are slaves to their cell phones - also agree with me? Let's get going on the descent. But not back the same way. NO, it HAS to be the narrow path into the valley. I won't rave any further, everyone has to experience their own impressions. We cross the meadow on the road and, thinking about what we have experienced, walk along the newly designed hiking trail (which soon leads to Jestetten) back to the parking lot. Yes, there are so many beautiful hikes from here too. Just take the time to do it. There are so many wonderful MTB options here! There are even said to be MTB riders who dare to make the rest of the way from the ruins into the valley. There are times when you have to “see” the path. I took a chance, but let it go. I gave up after 50 m. Wanted to try it once during the week. I don't dare do it - not just out of respect for hikers: also out of concern for my bike :-) I also love MTB riding, but precisely out of respect: PLEASE NOT. Better only with your best friend and be careful towards others. On solid paths. Even my almost 84-year-old mother fought and was deeply moved. Hats off to her.
Milka Kuh (2 years ago)
Parking possible at the nearby inn, accessible via a gravel path. The ruins are easy to find and the path is also suitable for children. The ruin itself is in a very quiet location and very little visited during the week. The view in good weather is ok. Definitely worth a trip.
Konstancja Kaczorowska (3 years ago)
Nice place to visit
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