Habsburg Castle

Habsburg Castle stretches over 100 meters along the rocky ridge of Wülpelsberg and is divided into two main sections: the front castle to the east and the rear castle to the west. These are separated by a central courtyard. The complex features a mix of defensive and residential buildings constructed primarily from stone.

The oldest surviving structure is the Stone House, dating from the castle’s founding period around 1020 to 1030. It measures about 18.5 by 13.2 meters and has walls nearly two meters thick. Originally, it was a multi-story building serving both as a residence and a defensive stronghold. Today, its walls remain up to two meters high.

In the front castle, the Stone House is accompanied by an East Tower built in the late 11th century. This tower, roughly 9.5 by 9.2 meters, is oriented about 45 degrees differently from the Stone House. An East Ring Wall connects to a gate zwinger—a narrow enclosed area before the gate—measuring 22.5 meters long with walls 1.3 meters thick. A North Tower, about 8.5 by 8.2 meters, functioned as a kitchen and included a small cellar accessible only from above. After the Habsburgs left, the front castle fell into ruin. Its remains were leveled around 1815, with some parts demolished around 1680.

The rear castle remains largely intact, though it has undergone some changes. It includes a Small Tower from the late 11th century, measuring 7.6 by 7 meters. The Large Tower, built in the early 13th century, stands 20.15 meters tall and has a diamond-shaped base about 10 by 10.2 meters. Its base walls are 2.1 meters thick and constructed with large megalithic stones. Originally, the tower’s entrance was located 7.4 meters above the courtyard floor; a ground-level door was added in 1898. Interior floors and staircases have been modified, with the lowest floor created in 1995 to serve as a museum entrance.

The Palas, or main residential building, dates from the mid-13th century. It is three stories tall and includes a cellar. Its windows show late Gothic style, and it has a saddle roof. Inside, the first-floor castle room features a flat vaulted ceiling from 1559 decorated with star, spiral, and heart-shaped motifs. Oak pillars support the ceiling, and 18th-century tiled stoves with painted landscape scenes remain in place.

The courtyard, approximately 32 by 30 meters, once contained a chapel and a servants’ house measuring about 10 by 7.5 meters. A sod well with an oval opening of 2.9 by 2.4 meters reaches a depth of 68.5 meters. Near the gatehouse outside the ring wall, there is a cistern dating from the early 13th century. Defensive features include a section ditch on the rear castle’s east side, built in the 14th century. This ditch was 7.4 meters wide and between 2.5 and 3.7 meters deep but was filled in around 1650 to 1670.

Archaeological excavations uncovered Roman building ceramics stamped by Legio XXI Rapax, indicating earlier activity on the site. Medieval finds include pottery, metal objects such as belt buckles and tools, glass rings, and a board game piece. Animal bones show a diet rich in pork during the Middle Ages, shifting to more cattle consumption in the early modern period. The castle’s remains are preserved under cantonal protection and continue to reveal insights into its long history.