Date:

Kropfenstein Cave Castle

Kropfenstein Castle is a ruined höhenburg (hillfort) type castle, located on the edge of a vertically sloping rock face in the municipality of Waltensburg/Vuorz, Switzerland.

Little evidence survives as to the provenance of the castle; however, dendrochronological dating of architectural timbers suggests that Kropfenstein was constructed around 1312.

Cave castles first appeared in Switzerland in the 14th and 15th centuries, utilising natural caves and grottos for the construction of residential or refuge castles.

Kropfenstein Castle follows the edge of the cliff that makes its shape very irregular in appearance, utilising an overhanging rock shelf in which the fortifications were positioned to serve as a defensive residence for a local distinguished family.

- Advertisement -
cc3
Image Credit : Adrian Michael – CC BY-SA 3.0

The castle’s plan is divided by two transverse walls containing several rooms, consisting of living quarters, a kitchen and store rooms. The castle gate is on the narrowest side and leads to the basement of what was originally a three-story structure with remnants of beam holes and windows with seating niches.

The name of Kropfenstein goes back to the Middle High German word “Kropf” (meaning an outgrowth of the neck or growth) and is likely associated with the small noble family of von Kropfenstein from Luven in the district of Surselva that may have built or acquired the castle.

cc4
Image Credit : Agnes Monkelbaan – CC BY-SA 4.0

The Kropfenstein’s were among the most respected families in the Bündner Oberland in the late Middle Ages, first appearing in historical records during the 14th century with a Bürcli von Kropfenstein mentioned in 1335.

The Kropfenstein line died out in the 15th century whilst a branch of the family continued to live in Luven, resulting in Kropfenstein Castle falling into disrepair and being eventually abandoned.

Header Image Credit : Adrian Michael – CC BY-SA 3.0

- Advertisement -
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan
Mark Milligan is an award winning journalist and the Managing Editor at HeritageDaily. His background is in archaeology and computer science, having written over 7,000 articles across several online publications. Mark is a member of the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) and in 2023 was the recipient of the British Citizen Award for Education and the BCA Medal of Honour.

Mobile Application

spot_img

Related Articles

16,800-year-old Palaeolithic dwelling found in La Garma cave

Archaeologists have discovered a 16,800-year-old Palaeolithic dwelling in the La Garma cave complex, located in the municipality of Ribamontán al Monte in Spain’s Cantabria province.

Burials found in Maya chultun

Archaeologists from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have uncovered burials within a chultun storage chamber at the Maya city of Ek' Balam.

Archaeologists analyse medieval benefits system

Archaeologists from the University of Leicester have conducted a study in the main cemetery of the hospital of St. John the Evangelist, Cambridge, to provide new insights into the medieval benefits system.

Major archaeological discoveries in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

In an announcement by the State Office for Culture and Monument Preservation (LAKD), archaeologists excavating in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have uncovered seven Bronze Age swords, 6,000 silver coins, and two Christian reliquary containers.

Early humans hunted beavers 400,000-years-ago

Researchers suggests that early humans were hunting, skinning, and eating beavers around 400,000-years-ago.

Archaeologists find burial bundles with carved masks

A team of archaeologists from the PUCP Archaeology Program “Valley of Pachacámac” have uncovered over 70 intact burial bundles with carved masks.

Should the Elgin Marbles be returned?

The Elgin marbles are a collection of decorative marble sculptures taken from the temple of Athena (the Parthenon) on the Acropolis in Athens.

“Witchcraft” is the result of acoustic resonance at the Devil’s Church

A team of archaeologists from the University of Eastern Finland have proposed that “witchcraft” at the Devil’s Church is the result of acoustic resonance.