Hohenklingen Castle

Along with Castle Chillon, Castle Hohenklingen is the most visited castle tourist attraction in Switzerland. Graffiti carved into the stone of the tower evidences this fact. Here you can find graffiti going back centuries! The graffiti doesn't detract from the charm of the castle though. It's absolutely dominating position over the Rhine river, it's view of the Alps, and the absolutely quintessentially medieval town of Stein am Rhine, will convince you that it's top position is justified. The view from the restaurant’s terrace is awe inspiring. It would definitely be worth two hours in your busy touring schedule to sit, eat, drink and imagine what life in the castle was like centuries before. History: The castle’s history begins around 1200, when Walter von Klingen built a residential tower on the site. At the beginning of the 14th century, the von Hohenklingen family’s decendants sold the castel in 1419 to Kaspar von Klingenberg, Lord of Hohentwiel Castle. In 1457, the citizens of Stein am Rhein paid 24,500 gulden for the castle. Later, in 1484, the castle and town came under the protection of the city of Zurich. In 1499, at the time of the Swabian War, and from 1618 to 1648, during the Thirty Years' War, the castle was refitted as a military fortress. Additional guards and auxiliary troops were transferred to the castle. After the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, the fortress lost its strategic importance. During the Second World War, a military observation post was established on the tower. In 1838, an attempt to establish spa house with guest rooms and an inn in the castle was successful. The ring wall and the palace in the west date back to the early days of the castle around 1220. Timber from the previous building, which was demolished around 1212, was also used for the construction. Between 1250 and 1280, the palace was extended. The Knights' Hall in the palace is decorated with modern depictions of the coats of arms of the lords of Hallwyl, Toggenburg, Brandis, Fürstenberg and Austria. From 1895 to 1897, the town of Stein am Rhein completely restored the castle. The castle was again restored from 2005 to 2007.