Best castles around Zillis-Reischen are situated in a Swiss municipality known for its historical sites within the Graubünden region. The area features medieval ruins and fortified positions, often located above rivers or in mountainous terrain. These locations provide insight into the region's past and its strategic importance in the Alpine valleys.
Last updated: July 7, 2026
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A magical place. Admission is paid via Twint, CHF 5 per adult.
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This castle is located 250m above the Oden valley. It is privately owned and is very well preserved. Inside there is seating and a fireplace. Entrance fee is 5 francs to help maintain this beautiful castle.
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The Höhen Rätien Castle is a hilltop and church castle high on the rock at an altitude of 946 metres above the entrance to the Viamala Gorge. It is located in Sils im Domelschg Hinterrhein Graubünden. It is one of the oldest cultural and settlement sites in Switzerland.
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The Höhen Rätien Castle is a hilltop and church castle high on the rock at an altitude of 946 metres above the entrance to the Viamala Gorge. It is located in Sils im Domelschg Hinterrhein Graubünden. It is one of the oldest cultural and settlement sites in Switzerland.
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Rietberg Castle stands above Pratval in Doleschg Graubünden. It was built in 1225 as a hilltop castle at an altitude of 723 metres.
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Rätia Ampla Castle in Riom The Romans already had a settlement in Riom. In the early Middle Ages, a royal court developed. Following the episcopal bailiffs, the land bailiffs lived in what was then one of the largest castles in the canton of Graubünden. After the village fire in 1864, all the wood from the fortress was used to rebuild the village. Until 1977, when a roof was rebuilt, the castle eked out a miserable existence as a ruin. Today's theater house houses Graubünden's largest theater and cultural festival. The Origen Festival takes place every summer in July and August. Rätia Ampla Castle in Riom was probably built around 1250. It quickly changed hands from the old lords to the Bishop of Chur. In 1552, the valley was bought free from episcopal rule. The castle was used as a conference venue and as a prison. Text / Source: Tourism Savognin Bivio Albula AG, Stradung 42, 7460 Savognin https://www.valsurses.ch/de/excursions/burg-riom
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Rätia Ampla Castle in Riom Rätia Ampla Castle in Riom is the largest castle in Surses. After the village fire in 1864, all of the fortress's wood was used to rebuild the village. The former bishop's castle, built in 1227, can be viewed from the outside. Text / Source: Tourismus Savognin Bivio Albula AG, Stradung 42, 7460 Savognin https://www.valsurses.ch/de/ausflugsziele/burg-riom
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Fürstenau - town in miniature An episcopal Meierhof as the origin of Fürstenau The episcopal power in Domleschg was probably already developed in the epoch of the Frankish Empire, in the first millennium. The incompletely preserved Reichsurbar (list of goods and taxes of the imperial rule) from 831 shows that a ministry Tumliasca (bishop's administrative apparatus Domleschg) existed. This faced a vicedominus with judicial authority. It is conceivable that the episcopal administration was originally based in Hohenrätien ob Sils i.D. had, but had been moved to one of the three Carolingian royal courts of Scharans, Almens and Tomils early on. Presumably an administrative officer (Meier) of the bishop took up residence in Baumgartenland Maros near Fürstenau. The name Maros goes back to the Latin word ad majoranem, the accusative of maiora (= dairy farm or farmstead). From this, the name Mairaus developed via ad maioranes, which as a name for Fürstenau first appears in documents in the first half of the 12th century. The development of the city In the course of the 14th century, the sovereign large castle acquired a modest urban character as a result of the denser settlement of the outer bailey. A document from 1383 testifies that the main castle was in front of the bridge to a bailey (lat. atrium). Peasant and artisan subjects lived here, who were responsible for the supply of the lords of the castle, and, as the House of Stoffel shows, apparently also knightly servants. Architectural and political developments are interrelated. In the middle of the 14th century, the diocese of Chur not only managed to obtain market privileges, but also a place of jurisdiction for blood justice. King Charles IV had Bishop Ulrich V (1331-1355) present a diploma on May 13, 1354, which gave Fürstenau the right to jail, sticks and gallows, as well as the holding of two annual markets on St. Michael's and St. George's Day . This meant that Fürstenau had also become a city in a legal sense. Its expansion from 1354 coincides with that of the castle mentioned in 1272. The town was not only of great importance as a trading and market place, it had also risen to become the center of princely possessions in the upper part of the Domleschg. So the castle has clearly proven itself as a strong attraction. Around 1300, a territorialization process began in the Graubünden area, which had a significant influence on political events up until after 1450. Noble dominions such as that of the Lords of Rhäzüns supplemented or overlaid the episcopal dominion. Neither party had a closed territory. As early as the first half of the 14th century, Fürstenau was drawn into the maelstrom of the episcopal power struggles. The few surviving documentary mentions of Fürstenau should be seen in this context: In 1333 the bishop promised the lords of Rhäzüns 1000 marks, four hundred of them through Fürstenau Castle, which was then pledged. In 1347 the castle served as security so that the bishop would go back into the captivity of the Count of Tyrol, from which he had been released. Fürstenau was then handed over to Walter von Stadion. In 1351 an arbitral tribunal had to decide the dispute over Fürstenau Castle between the bishop and the Counts of Montfort. Finally, in 1367, Fürstenau was occupied by the cathedral chapter and the bishop's vassals. In 1387 it regained great importance in connection with the expansion of the Septimer Pass by Johann von Castelmur. Text: City of Fürstenau https://www.fuerstenau.ch/Portrait/History/
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The castles in the Zillis-Reischen area provide a deep dive into medieval history. For instance, Riom Castle was once one of the largest castles in Graubünden, reflecting the region's strategic importance. Rietberg Castle, dating back to the 13th century, was the seat of the Lords of Rietberg and witnessed significant historical events, including the murder of Pompejus Planta. Burg Haselstein, though a ruin, showcases medieval defensive architecture and even contains 14th-century artwork.
Yes, the region is excellent for hiking. You can find trails that offer great views, such as the one providing a View of Hohen Rätien Castle Ruins from the Via Spluga, high above Thusis. Burg Haselstein is also accessible via marked hiking trails, though they require sturdy footwear due to the steep climb. For more options, explore the hiking routes around Zillis-Reischen.
Riom Castle is particularly known for hosting cultural events, including the annual Origen Festival in July and August. This castle, once a significant bishop's stronghold, now serves as a vibrant cultural hub in the region.
Sins Castle in Paspels features remarkable sgraffito decoration, a carved roof in Swiss wood style, and a polygonal tower with a hood and lantern, following a redesign in 1892/93. Burg Haselstein is unique for its underground chamber designed to protect historical archives, showcasing early preservation methods for cultural materials.
Absolutely. The Zillis-Reischen area is rich in outdoor opportunities. You can find various cycling routes and MTB trails nearby. Many castles, like Burg Haselstein, are situated along scenic hiking paths, allowing you to combine historical exploration with physical activity in the mountainous landscape.
Rietberg Castle is famously associated with the murder of Pompejus Planta in 1621, an event later immortalized in Conrad Ferdinand Meyer's novella 'Jürg Jenatsch'. Additionally, Sins Castle is considered the presumed birthplace of Pompejus Planta, adding another layer of historical intrigue.
While specific opening hours vary, the region's castles and surrounding trails are generally best enjoyed during the warmer months, from spring to autumn, when hiking conditions are optimal and cultural events are more frequent. Winter visits might offer a different, quieter experience, but some paths could be challenging due to snow and ice.
Schauenstein Castle in Fürstenau evolved from an episcopal Meierhof and gained market privileges and judicial rights in the 14th century, becoming a significant administrative and political center. Riom Castle also served as a bishop's castle and later as a conference venue and prison, highlighting its past administrative role.
Many castles in the region offer impressive panoramic views. For example, the View of Hohen Rätien Castle Ruins provides a great perspective of the ruins from the Via Spluga, high above Thusis. Burg Haselstein is perched above the Hinterrhein river, offering picturesque vistas of the valley and mountainous landscape.
Burg Haselstein has undergone reconstruction since 1970, with the organization Pro Castellis owning it since 2016, working to preserve its medieval structures. Riom Castle, after a village fire in 1864, saw its wood used for rebuilding, and only in 1977 was a roof rebuilt, bringing it back from a state of ruin.
The castles are nestled in a region of stunning natural beauty. The Viamala Gorge is a prominent nearby attraction, offering dramatic scenery. You can find hiking routes like the 'Traversinersteg Suspension Bridge – Viamala Gorge loop' which combines natural wonders with historical exploration. The Hinterrhein river, near Burg Haselstein, also offers scenic landscapes.
Schauenstein Castle in Fürstenau originated from an episcopal Meierhof, with the name 'Maros' suggesting a Latin root for a dairy farm or farmstead. This indicates its development from an earlier agricultural or administrative settlement.


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