Hagenwil Castle, Water castle in Amriswil, Switzerland.
Hagenwil Castle is a water castle with a central tower in Amriswil, showing the timber-framed construction style typical of eastern Switzerland. The site sits surrounded by a moat and preserves the original layout from the medieval period, though parts were altered over the centuries.
A member of the Hagenwil family gave the castle to the Abbey of St. Gall in 1264 to thank them for helping secure his release from captivity. This transfer tied the castle closely to the abbey's regional history and its landholdings in the Thurgau area.
The castle shows how people once lived in fortified homes that also served as local power centers, with its tower still visible from across the town today. The site now brings together visitors and locals through events and gatherings, keeping its role as a meeting place alive in a modern way.
The castle is best explored on foot, with the walk around the moat giving a good view of the exterior. Tours of the interior are available, and there is an on-site restaurant for visitors who wish to linger.
During the Thirty Years War in 1633, the castle faced Swedish military occupation but remained remarkably undamaged while the region around it suffered greatly. This sparing is sometimes attributed to diplomatic negotiations or the castle's own strategic position.
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