Castle Keppenbach

Castle Keppenbach is a ruin sitting on a ridge at 455 meters (1,500 feet) above sea level in the Freiamt area. The surviving walls reach about 7.5 meters (25 feet) high and measure 2.3 meters (7.5 feet) thick, clearly showing medieval construction techniques.

The castle was built between 1100 and 1275 by the Lords of Keppenbach and shaped the region for centuries. It was destroyed by Habsburg forces in 1396 and suffered further damage during the Peasants' War in 1525.

The castle was linked to silver mining operations in Brettenbach Valley, serving as a center where knights managed both the mines and surrounding hunting lands. Today, visitors can sense how this location functioned as an administrative hub for economic and territorial matters.

The castle ruins are accessible by foot through a forest path starting from Sagplatz village, with a walk of about 20 minutes. The route is manageable but requires sturdy shoes and basic fitness level.

Artifacts discovered during excavations are now displayed at the Heimatmuseum Freiamt, including Romanesque relief stone plates found by forest workers. These pieces offer insight into daily life at the medieval fortress.

Location: Freiamt

Inception: 1100

GPS coordinates: 48.16470,7.91680

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:21