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Lucerne

Honau

Top 5 Castles around Honau

Best castles around Honau offers a journey through historical sites and scenic landscapes. This region features a collection of castles, including ancient commanderies and well-preserved ruins, providing insights into centuries of history. Visitors can explore diverse architectural styles and discover historical significance. The area provides opportunities for cultural discovery alongside outdoor exploration.

Best castles around Honau

  • The most popular castles is Johanniter Commandery Hohenrain, a historical site that represents one of the oldest branches of the Johanniter in Switzerland. Partial buildings from the late 12th and 13th centuries of the Commandery have largely been preserved.
  • Another must-see spot is Gesslerburg Ruins, a medieval castle linked to the legend of Wilhelm Tell. The ruins of this hilltop castle are located on a hill east of Küssnacht, with foundations and wall remains open to the public.
  • Visitors also love Ruins of Hohenburg Castle (Burgwald), a well-preserved ruin with an information panel about its history. It is perfectly situated in the triangle formed by streams, offering a nice section along the water.
  • Honau is known for castle ruins, historical sites, and man-made monuments. The region offers a variety of castles to see and explore, from ancient commanderies to medieval city towers.
  • The castles around Honau are appreciated by the komoot community, with 155 upvotes and 57 photos shared by visitors.

Last updated: May 18, 2026

Johanniter Commandery Hohenrain

Highlight • Historical Site

Beautiful complex. Check out the history on Wikipedia.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johanniterkommende_Hohenrain

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Gesslerburg Ruins

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Gesslerburg ruins
The "nobles of Küssnach" and the lords of Silenen as lords of the castle
Gesslerburg is the name of the medieval castle in Küssnacht. Like Hohle Gasse in Immensee, it is linked to the legend of Wilhelm Tell. According to the historian Aegidius Tschudi, it is said to have been the seat of Landsvogt Hermann Gessler. The ruins of the Gesslerburg have been owned by the Swiss Confederation since 1908.
The ruins of the hilltop castle are located on a hilltop in the east of the village, above the village stream, which flows from the Seebodenalp into the lake. A path leads up to the Gesslerburg from the Knochenstampfe, a shed by the stream with a water wheel in which fertilizer was once produced.
Despite archaeological investigations, very little is known about the origin and history of the castle complex. There is evidence of a nobleman named Recho from the second half of the 9th century, who donated his possessions in Küssnacht to the Benedictine monastery in Hof Luzern, along with other goods. An early medieval castle probably also belonged to it. The first documented mention dates back to 1263: «in castro nostro Chüssenach».
In 1291, Küssnacht was bought from the monastery by Rudolf I of Habsburg. The lords of the castle, who were employed as bailiffs by the House of Habsburg, appeared as "nobles from Küssnach". Knight Eppo II (1282-1315) demanded taxes, duties and forced labor as a bailiff. In 1302 there was a dispute with the villagers of Küssnacht, Immensee and Haltikon, in which the bailiff is said to have almost died. Around the middle of the 14th century. The castle was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt much larger.
Text / source: Küssnacht District, Seeplatz 2/3, Postfach 176, 6403 Küssnacht am Rigi
kuessnacht.ch/district/sightseeing/ruine_gesslerburg.html/107

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Huwiler Tower

Highlight • Historical Site

Huwilerturm, Zug
The year the Huwilerturm was built cannot be determined precisely from documents, but according to Linus Birchler it was in 1524/25. Other sources give the year of construction as 1519 and name a master builder named Huwiler as the builder. The tower's current name does not come from this Huwiler, but from a later owner of the same name, who came into possession of the tower in 1697. The name "Huwilerturm" only gradually caught on, however, because the name "Hoof Thurm" (after the property "Hof im Dorf" or "Hof am Burgbach") can still be found on the Landtwing city map from 1770. For this section, see also the Zug New Year's Gazette 1983. Access to the Huwilerturm was originally via the battlement of the city wall on the city side on the first floor. It was not until 1826 that the tower was given a ground floor entrance - from the outside - and two windows.
The outer ring of walls
Six round towers, four gates and a passageway formed the new ring of walls. The total length was 850 meters and increased the size of the city from 0.4 to 2.8 hectares. In addition to the existing buildings such as St. Oswald's Church, the castle, the village residential and commercial district, etc., there were large undeveloped areas in the new city area for a long time.
Text / Source: Zug City Council, Town Hall, Gubelstrasse 22, 6301 Zug
stadtzug.ch/sehenswuerdigkeiten/18

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Very well preserved ruin !!

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Buonas Castle Park

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However, this beautiful castle park can only be explored on foot and unfortunately only on the first Saturday in May and once in autumn (Halloween).

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Tips from the Community

Hans Zemp
March 5, 2026, Johanniter Kommende Hohenrain

The Commandery of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem is located in the municipality of Hohenrain. It is one of the oldest Hospitaller settlements in Switzerland. It was first mentioned in 1182/83 as a commandery. Parts of the complex, dating from the late 12th and 13th centuries, have been largely preserved as part of a medieval castle belonging to the Order. According to the inventory of cultural property, it is considered a cultural asset of national importance. Today it belongs to the Canton of Lucerne. Source: Wikipedia; see also Wikipedia: History

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Beautiful castle ruins with an information panel about their history. Perfectly situated in the triangle formed by the streams. Unfortunately, there's no barbecue area.

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Michael (Wasi)
November 28, 2024, Huwilerturm

The Huwilerturm in Zug is the smallest of the four outer city towers and has a charming history. It was built around 1524/25 and was known for a long time as the "Hof-Turm" until it was bought by a citizen named Huwiler in 1697.

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However, this beautiful castle park can only be explored on foot and unfortunately only on the first Saturday in May and once in autumn (Halloween).

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One of four preserved city towers. A small part of the former city wall borders its walls. Right next to the Huwiler Tower, there is a pretty park shaded by tall trees, which invites you to play and relax.

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Paul
April 9, 2024, Huwilerturm

Huwilerturm, Zug The year the Huwilerturm was built cannot be determined precisely from documents, but according to Linus Birchler it was in 1524/25. Other sources give the year of construction as 1519 and name a master builder named Huwiler as the builder. The tower's current name does not come from this Huwiler, but from a later owner of the same name, who came into possession of the tower in 1697. The name "Huwilerturm" only gradually caught on, however, because the name "Hoof Thurm" (after the property "Hof im Dorf" or "Hof am Burgbach") can still be found on the Landtwing city map from 1770. For this section, see also the Zug New Year's Gazette 1983. Access to the Huwilerturm was originally via the battlement of the city wall on the city side on the first floor. It was not until 1826 that the tower was given a ground floor entrance - from the outside - and two windows. The outer ring of walls Six round towers, four gates and a passageway formed the new ring of walls. The total length was 850 meters and increased the size of the city from 0.4 to 2.8 hectares. In addition to the existing buildings such as St. Oswald's Church, the castle, the village residential and commercial district, etc., there were large undeveloped areas in the new city area for a long time. Text / Source: Zug City Council, Town Hall, Gubelstrasse 22, 6301 Zug https://www.stadtzug.ch/sehenswuerdigkeiten/18

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Paul
April 26, 2023, Gesslerburg Ruins

Gesslerburg ruins The "nobles of Küssnach" and the lords of Silenen as lords of the castle Gesslerburg is the name of the medieval castle in Küssnacht. Like Hohle Gasse in Immensee, it is linked to the legend of Wilhelm Tell. According to the historian Aegidius Tschudi, it is said to have been the seat of Landsvogt Hermann Gessler. The ruins of the Gesslerburg have been owned by the Swiss Confederation since 1908. The ruins of the hilltop castle are located on a hilltop in the east of the village, above the village stream, which flows from the Seebodenalp into the lake. A path leads up to the Gesslerburg from the Knochenstampfe, a shed by the stream with a water wheel in which fertilizer was once produced. Despite archaeological investigations, very little is known about the origin and history of the castle complex. There is evidence of a nobleman named Recho from the second half of the 9th century, who donated his possessions in Küssnacht to the Benedictine monastery in Hof Luzern, along with other goods. An early medieval castle probably also belonged to it. The first documented mention dates back to 1263: «in castro nostro Chüssenach». In 1291, Küssnacht was bought from the monastery by Rudolf I of Habsburg. The lords of the castle, who were employed as bailiffs by the House of Habsburg, appeared as "nobles from Küssnach". Knight Eppo II (1282-1315) demanded taxes, duties and forced labor as a bailiff. In 1302 there was a dispute with the villagers of Küssnacht, Immensee and Haltikon, in which the bailiff is said to have almost died. Around the middle of the 14th century. The castle was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt much larger. Text / source: Küssnacht District, Seeplatz 2/3, Postfach 176, 6403 Küssnacht am Rigi https://www.kuessnacht.ch/district/sightseeing/ruine_gesslerburg.html/107

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The remains of this medieval castle are on a hill east of Küssnacht. What remains are primarily the foundations and a few remains of the wall, which are open to the public. There is also a barbecue area at the foot of the hill.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most notable castles and historical sites around Honau?

The Honau region features several significant historical sites. Among the most popular is Johanniter Commandery Hohenrain, one of the oldest branches of the Johanniter in Switzerland, with preserved buildings from the late 12th and 13th centuries. Another must-see is Gesslerburg Ruins, a medieval castle linked to the legend of Wilhelm Tell. Visitors also appreciate the Ruins of Hohenburg Castle (Burgwald), a well-preserved ruin with an information panel about its history.

Are there family-friendly castles to visit in the Honau area?

Yes, several castles and historical sites around Honau are considered family-friendly. Johanniter Commandery Hohenrain, Huwiler Tower, and the Ruins of Hohenburg Castle (Burgwald) are all categorized as suitable for families, offering historical exploration in an engaging setting.

What kind of views or natural features can I expect near these castles?

Many of the castles offer scenic surroundings. For instance, Gesslerburg Ruins is a hilltop castle providing views over the village and surrounding area. The Ruins of Hohenburg Castle (Burgwald) are perfectly situated in a triangle formed by streams, offering a nice section along the water through a castle forest. Buonas Castle Park is a natural monument with a forest, though access is limited to specific days.

Are there hiking or cycling routes near the castles around Honau?

Yes, the region around Honau offers various outdoor activities. You can find numerous road cycling routes, gravel biking trails, and running trails. For example, there are moderate to difficult running trails like the 'Restaurant Breitfeld – View of Mount Rigi loop from Honau' or 'Rotkreuz loop from Honau'. For cycling, explore routes like 'Lake Zug – Sihlwald Wilderness Park Road loop' or 'Reuss Cycle Path – View of the Reuss River loop'. You can find more details on road cycling, gravel biking, and running trails in the area.

When is the best time to visit the castles around Honau?

The castles and their surrounding areas can be enjoyed throughout much of the year. While specific seasonal advice for each castle isn't provided, generally, spring and autumn offer pleasant weather for exploring historical sites and engaging in outdoor activities like hiking or cycling. Some locations, like Buonas Castle Park, have specific access days, such as the first Saturday in May and once in autumn.

What types of historical structures can I expect to see?

The Honau region showcases a variety of historical structures, from ancient commanderies to medieval city towers and castle ruins. You can explore well-preserved partial buildings from the late 12th and 13th centuries at Johanniter Commandery Hohenrain, the foundations and wall remains of the medieval Gesslerburg Ruins, and the smallest of Zug's four outer city towers, the Huwiler Tower.

Are there any facilities like barbecue areas near the castle ruins?

Yes, some locations offer facilities for visitors. For example, at the foot of the hill leading to Gesslerburg Ruins, there is a barbecue area available to the public. The Ruins of Hohenburg Castle (Burgwald) are also near a nice barbecue area, making it a good spot for a day out.

How much time should I plan for visiting these castles?

The time needed can vary depending on the castle and your interest. For sites like Johanniter Commandery Hohenrain, which has preserved buildings and history, you might spend a couple of hours. For ruins like Gesslerburg Ruins or Ruins of Hohenburg Castle (Burgwald), you could combine a visit with a short walk or a picnic, making it a half-day excursion. The Huwiler Tower is a city tower that can be explored more quickly.

What do visitors enjoy most about the castles around Honau?

Visitors frequently appreciate the historical significance and the well-preserved nature of these sites. The Johanniter Commandery Hohenrain is noted for its beautiful complex and deep history. The Ruins of Hohenburg Castle (Burgwald) are praised for being very well-preserved and offering a nice section along the water. The overall blend of cultural discovery and outdoor exploration is a major draw.

Are there any lesser-known or 'hidden gem' castles in the area?

While the main highlights are well-regarded, the Huwiler Tower in Zug, as the smallest of the four outer city towers, offers a charming history and is part of a pretty park, making it a delightful, perhaps less-crowded, discovery. The Buonas Castle Park, with its limited access days, could also be considered a unique experience for those who plan their visit accordingly.

Can I visit these castles during winter?

Information on winter visits is not explicitly provided for all castles. However, historical sites and ruins are generally accessible year-round, though weather conditions might affect the enjoyment of outdoor exploration and views. It's advisable to check local conditions and specific castle opening hours, especially for indoor sections, during the winter months.

Is public transport available to reach the castles?

Specific public transport details for each castle are not provided in the guide data. However, for castles located near towns or villages, such as Gesslerburg Ruins near Küssnacht or Huwiler Tower in Zug, public transport options to the nearest town are likely available, followed by a walk or short local connection.

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