Ruins in Switzerland: The Complete List

Switzerland is often celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty, from towering alpine peaks to serene, deep blue lakes. Yet, beyond these iconic landscapes lies a rich, layered history, subtly etched into the land itself through centuries of human endeavor and the eventual decay of structures. These ancient and medieval remnants offer a captivating, often overlooked, window into the country’s past.

For those eager to explore this historical depth, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to 73 Ruins in Switzerland. This extensive list covers a vast historical range, from the ancient All Saints’ Abbey to the enigmatic Üetliberg Oppidum. Each entry is meticulously organized with details on its Canton, Type of Ruin, and Historical Period, all of which you’ll find carefully laid out below.

What types of historical ruins can you expect to find in Switzerland?

Switzerland’s diverse geography and long history mean its ruins are incredibly varied. You can expect to discover everything from remnants of Roman settlements and imposing medieval castles to ancient Celtic oppida and even more recent industrial ruins. Each type offers a unique perspective on the country’s development through different eras, reflecting periods of conflict, prosperity, and the daily lives of its former inhabitants.

Are these ruins generally accessible to the public?

Many of Switzerland’s ruins are open to the public, often with well-maintained paths and informative signage, particularly those managed by cantonal or national heritage organizations. However, accessibility can vary significantly. Some are easily reachable by public transport or car, while others might require a hike to a more remote or challenging location. It’s always advisable to check local visitor information for specific sites before planning your trip.

Ruins in Switzerland

Images and Descriptions

Tourbillon Castle

Perched high above Sion, this ruined bishop’s castle was destroyed by fire in 1788. Its dramatic, skeletal walls offer spectacular views of the Rhône Valley and stand as a powerful symbol of the city’s medieval past.

Augusta Raurica

Explore Switzerland’s largest archaeological park, once a bustling Roman town of 20,000. The site features an impressive theater, temple foundations, and a reconstructed Roman house, offering a deep dive into ancient life.

Grasburg

Once an imposing imperial castle, Grasburg is now one of Switzerland’s most significant castle ruins. Hidden in the Sense-Schwarzwasser Nature Park, its extensive remains invite exploration and offer a glimpse into medieval power struggles.

Avenches Roman Site

The former capital of Roman Helvetia, Aventicum, boasts impressive ruins. The most famous is the amphitheater, which still hosts events, alongside remains of a temple, theater, and thermal baths scattered around the modern town.

Tschanüff Castle

Dominating the entrance to the Val Sinestra, the extensive ruins of Tschanüff Castle are a landmark of the Lower Engadine. Its history is tied to local lords and the Habsburgs, with its mighty shield wall still standing tall.

Weissenau Castle

Situated in a nature reserve between the two lakes of Thun and Brienz, these romantic ruins were once a moated castle. The remaining tower and walls are a picturesque stop for hikers and history lovers exploring the Interlaken area.

Belfort Castle

Overlooking the Albula valley near Brienz/Brinzauls, the twin ruins of Belfort Castle make for a striking sight. Destroyed in 1499 during the Swabian War, the remains of its towers and walls tell a story of regional conflict.

Schenkenberg Castle

One of Switzerland’s largest castle ruins, Schenkenberg majestically overlooks the Aare valley. Originally a Habsburg seat, its vast complex of walls, towers, and buildings provides a fascinating look at the evolution of medieval fortifications.

Jörgenberg Castle

This expansive site near Waltensburg includes the ruins of a medieval castle and the foundations of an early Christian church. It’s a historically layered complex that showcases centuries of settlement and strategic importance in the Surselva region.

Steinsberg Castle

The iconic, round keep of Steinsberg Castle stands on a prominent hill above Ardez in the Lower Engadine. This well-preserved ruin is a regional landmark, offering panoramic views and a tangible connection to the area’s medieval past.

Roman Theatre of Lenzburg

Discovered in 1964, the ruins of this Roman theater once seated 4,000 spectators. Located a short distance from the famous Lenzburg Castle, its semi-circular stone seating provides a clear picture of Roman entertainment in the region.

Alt-Bechburg

This is a classic example of a medieval hilltop castle ruin. Located near Holderbank, its impressive keep and substantial wall remnants are well-preserved and freely accessible, making it a popular destination for local excursions.

Frohburg

Perched on a narrow ridge, Frohburg is one of the largest castle ruins in the Jura mountains. Its elongated layout and remaining walls speak to its former strength as the ancestral seat of the Counts of Frohburg.

Mesocco Castle

Commanding the entrance to the Misox valley, the ruins of Castello di Mesocco are among the largest in Switzerland. The vast complex includes a church, towers, and residential buildings, reflecting its strategic control over Alpine routes.

Pierre-Pertuis

This unique Roman ruin is an archway carved directly out of a rock face in the Bernese Jura. It marked the passage of a Roman road through the mountain, with a partially legible inscription dedicating it to Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Nyon Roman Ruins

The town of Nyon was founded as Noviodunum. Visible ruins include the foundations of the basilica in the Roman forum, now an open-air site, and an amphitheater discovered in 1996, highlighting its ancient heritage.

Martigny Roman Ruins

The Roman town of Octodurus has left its mark on modern Martigny. The beautifully restored amphitheater is the crown jewel, but you can also find ruins of Roman baths, temples, and villas throughout the city.

Windisch Roman Site

Known as Vindonissa, this was the only Roman legionary camp in Switzerland. Highlights include the ruins of the amphitheater, which could hold 11,000 people, and the remains of the camp’s thermal baths and gateways.

Hohensax Castle

The ruins of Hohensax (or Sax) Castle are perched on a rocky outcrop above the Rhine Valley. The site offers a fantastic view and a chance to explore the remnants of the keep and palace of the once-powerful Barons of Sax.

Serravalle Castle

Strategically located to control the Blenio Valley, Serravalle was destroyed by the Swiss Confederates in 1518. The extensive ruins of its two main castles, upper and lower, are a testament to its former military importance.

La Bâtiaz Castle

Guarding the entrance to Martigny, this impressive castle ruin features a powerful, well-preserved keep. Built by the Bishops of Sion, it played a key role in controlling the Great St. Bernard Pass trade route.

Valangin Castle Ruins

While a part of the castle is a preserved museum, the surrounding fortifications and outer walls are extensive ruins. They offer a sense of the scale of this medieval stronghold that once dominated the Val-de-Ruz.

Farnsburg

Once the most important castle of the Thierstein counts, Farnsburg was destroyed by an earthquake in 1356 and later rebuilt. The current ruins date from its final destruction in 1798 and offer a panoramic view of the region.

Gilgenberg Castle

Situated on a cliff above the Birs river, these are the romantic ruins of a medieval castle. Its remaining walls and towers create an atmospheric setting, popular with hikers exploring the Jura landscape near Zwingen.

Ringgenberg Castle Church

This unique site combines the ruins of a medieval castle with a later-built church. The apse and northern wall of the church were built directly into the main tower of the castle, creating a fascinating historical hybrid.

Wulp Castle

Located on a wooded hill near Küsnacht, Wulp is an early medieval castle ruin. Though only the foundations and lower walls remain, it’s a peaceful site that illustrates the typical motte-and-bailey construction of the era.

Alt-Toggenburg

The ancestral home of the powerful Counts of Toggenburg, these ruins are now nestled in a quiet forest. The remaining walls and ditches hint at the former glory of a family that shaped the history of Eastern Switzerland.

Freudenberg Castle

Overlooking the spa town of Bad Ragaz, the ruins of Freudenberg offer beautiful views. The site features the remains of a tower and palace, which were part of a defensive line controlling the important Rhine Valley route.

Haldenstein Castle

The striking ruins of Haldenstein’s upper and lower castles dominate the skyline above the village. For centuries, they were the seat of the powerful von Haldenstein family, guardians of the Rhine crossing near Chur.

Unspunnen Castle

Famous for its connection to the Unspunnenfest, a traditional Swiss festival, this castle ruin sits at the entrance to the Lütschine valleys. Its history is steeped in local legends, including tales of feuds between Bern and the Oberland nobility.

Neu-Habsburg Castle

Built by the Habsburgs to control traffic on Lake Lucerne, this castle was destroyed by locals in 1352. The remaining foundation walls and a reconstructed wooden tower offer stunning views and a direct link to early Swiss history.

Grünenfels Castle

Perched on a green hill near Waltensburg, these are the romantic ruins of a small but strategically placed castle. Its visible tower and wall fragments make it a rewarding destination on a historic walking trail.

Campell Castle

The ruins of Campell (or Campi) near Sils im Domleschg feature a distinctive, tall, and slender residential tower. It is a prime example of the many fortified towers that once characterized this strategically important valley.

Moregg Castle

A lesser-known ruin in the Domleschg valley, Moregg consists of a well-preserved main tower and remnants of a curtain wall. It is part of the dense network of fortifications that controlled trade routes through the region.

Neu-Aspermont Castle

Located near Jenins, these extensive ruins were once a major administrative center. The site includes a large main tower, a palace, and a chapel, showcasing the wealth and power of its former lords.

Villa Jovis

The ruins of a substantial Roman villa located in the La Tour-de-Peilz area. Excavations have revealed baths, mosaics, and heated rooms, pointing to a luxurious estate with views over Lake Geneva.

Saint-Triphon Hill

The hill of Saint-Triphon is a unique site featuring a ruined medieval tower and extensive fortifications. Quarried for centuries, the hill itself is a maze of rock faces, with the tower standing as a lone sentinel.

Châtel-Argent

*Note: Technically in Italy, but historically and culturally tied to the Valais region.* The ruins of Châtel-Argent dramatically overlook the Dora Baltea river, guarding the route to the Great St. Bernard Pass. Its round tower is a prominent landmark.

Château des Sires

Located in the village of Loèche (Leuk), these ruins are integrated with later buildings. The remnants of the medieval bishops’ castle, particularly its Romanesque windows and stonework, are still clearly visible.

Wildegg Castle Ruins (Alt-Wildegg)

Not to be confused with the preserved Wildegg Castle, these are the sparse ruins of the original family seat on a nearby hill. Only foundation walls remain, offering a quiet, historical counterpoint to the more famous castle.

Dorneck Castle

The extensive ruins of Dorneck stand as a memorial to the Battle of Dornach in 1499, a decisive victory for the Swiss. The well-maintained site is a regional landmark and a symbol of Solothurn’s independence.

Pfeffingen Castle

One of the largest castle ruins in the region, Pfeffingen features two prominent round towers and extensive walls. It was the seat of the counts of Thierstein-Pfeffingen until its destruction in the 1356 Basel earthquake.

Iberg Castle

The minimal ruins of Iberg Castle lie on a wooded ridge above Riniken. The site is marked by the remains of its main tower and earthworks, representing an early medieval fortification from the time of the Counts of Lenzburg.

Rotberg Castle

While a modern youth hostel is built within its walls, the outer fortifications of Rotberg remain as extensive, authentic ruins. It offers a unique blend of preserved history and rugged medieval remnants in the Jura mountains.

Cartigny Aqueduct

The remains of a Roman aqueduct can be found near the village of Cartigny. While not extensive, the surviving stone pillars are a rare and important testament to the sophisticated engineering the Romans brought to the Geneva region.

Mont-Vully Oppidum

The ramparts of this Celtic Helvetii oppidum (fortified settlement) are still visible as large earthworks on Mont Vully. It’s a subtle but significant ruin, representing pre-Roman settlement in Switzerland.

Regensberg Oberburg Walls

While the town of Regensberg is beautifully preserved, the ruins of its upper castle (Oberburg) are a distinct feature. The foundations and lower walls mark the original core of this strategically important hilltop settlement.

Villa Seeb

At the Winkel archaeological park on the shore of Lake Zurich, you can see the conserved foundations of a large Roman villa rustica. The layout of the main building, baths, and courtyards are clearly visible.

Roman Villa of Orbe-Boscéaz

This site is famous for its collection of stunning, in-situ Roman mosaics, among the finest north of the Alps. The surrounding ruins of the luxurious villa provide context for these incredible works of art.

Hagi-Hans Tower

This ruined medieval watchtower stands on a vineyard-covered hill overlooking the Rhine. It was part of the defensive network for the town of Schaffhausen and offers a picturesque historical landmark.

Üetliberg Oppidum

Atop Zürich’s local mountain, the Üetliberg, are the remains of a massive Celtic oppidum. The defensive ramparts (earth walls) are still easily traceable, marking one of the most important Helvetii settlements.

Hohenklingen (Ruined sections)

Although the main castle is a restaurant, the extensive outer bailey and parts of the curtain wall are in a ruined state. These sections give a better sense of the original military scale of the fortress above Stein am Rhein.

Splügen Castle

The ruins of Splügen Castle stand guard over the village and the critically important Splügen Pass. Its square tower and wall remnants are a stark reminder of the traffic and tolls that defined this Alpine route.

Marmels Castle

Dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the Lai da Marmorera reservoir, these ruins are from a castle of the powerful Barons of Marmels. The site is a hauntingly beautiful example of a medieval rock castle.

Kropfenstein Castle

Built directly into a cliff face near Waltensburg, Kropfenstein is a fascinating cave castle ruin. Its remaining walls seem to grow out of the rock, showcasing a unique and daring form of medieval defensive architecture.

Cagliatscha Castle

Located on a hilltop in the Viamala region, the slender, five-story keep of Cagliatscha is a striking sight. The ruin is a well-preserved example of a residential tower that served as both a home and a status symbol.

Wildenberg Castle

The ruins of Wildenberg Castle are located on a small hill near the village of Arth. Its story is linked to the early Swiss Confederacy, as it was one of the castles destroyed during the 1315 Morgarten campaign.

Gutenburg

The small ruin of Gutenburg castle is situated on a hill in the Oberaargau region. It consists mainly of the foundations of a tower and parts of the surrounding wall, offering a quiet spot for historical reflection.

Isenring Castle

Located near the village of Gsteigwiler, the ruins of Isenring are hidden in the forest. This was a small medieval lordship castle, and its remaining walls provide an atmospheric destination for a short hike from Interlaken.

All Saints’ Abbey

While much of the complex is now a museum, the adjacent herb garden contains the romantic, open-air ruins of the outer cloister. These elegant Gothic arches are a peaceful remnant of the original Benedictine monastery.

Kappel Abbey War Memorial

The site of the Second War of Kappel (1531) is marked by a memorial stone where the reformer Huldrych Zwingli fell. While not a building ruin, it’s a significant historical site marked by the remnants of conflict.

Bürgenstock Chapel Ruins

Near the famous Bürgenstock resort are the romantic ruins of a 16th-century chapel. Set against a stunning Alpine backdrop, the stone walls are a picturesque and serene reminder of the area’s long history.

Pont-en-Ogoz

In the middle of the Lake of Gruyère sits a small island with the ruins of a castle and a chapel. When the water level is low, a causeway appears, allowing visitors to walk out to this remarkably picturesque historical site.

Vaumarcus Castle (Old Tower)

While the main castle is a private residence, its original, massive square keep stands separate as a distinct ruin. This 12th-century tower represents the oldest part of the fortification overlooking Lake Neuchâtel.

Château de l’Eveque

The “Bishop’s Castle” in Leukerbad now consists of a single ruined Romanesque tower. It was part of a larger complex that was destroyed by an avalanche in the 16th century, leaving a solitary, historic landmark.

Baldern Castle

The ruins of Baldern are located on a wooded hill near Baden. This site features the prominent remains of a shield wall and a main tower, typical of the fortifications built to protect the lands of local nobles.

Friedberg Castle

Situated between the Surb and Aare valleys, the Friedberg ruin has a well-preserved main tower and remnants of its curtain wall. It served as an administrative center for the Bishops of Constance in the region.

Rosenburg

Above the town of Stans, the Rosenburg ruins are a reminder of a castle destroyed by the Confederates in 1308. Its history is tied to the legends of the formation of Switzerland, making it a site of national importance.

Rotzberg Castle

Another castle with ties to early Swiss history, Rotzberg was allegedly the site of a legendary uprising. The ruins today consist of a prominent round tower and surrounding walls, offering views over Lake Lucerne.

Castel San Pietro

On a hill above the village of Castel San Pietro are the ruins of a medieval castle and the Red Church (Chiesa Rossa). The combination of military and religious ruins makes for a historically rich and scenic site.

Landenberg Castle

The ruins of Lower Landenberg Castle in Sarnen are an important site in the founding myths of Switzerland. It was here that the local governor was supposedly overthrown, an event central to the region’s identity.

Hasenburg

The ruins of Hasenburg are scattered on a long, wooded ridge. The site once consisted of three separate castles, and today’s remains are a popular hiking destination, offering a journey through medieval defensive architecture.

Neuchâtel Castle (Tour des Prisons)

While the castle is the seat of government, the “Tour des Prisons” (Prison Tower) is a distinct, partially ruined structure from the original medieval fortifications, offering a glimpse into the castle’s earlier, more rugged form.

Ruins in Other Countries