Gräpplang Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Flums, Switzerland
Gräpplang Castle is a ruin perched on a hillside above the village of Flums and looks out across the surrounding valley. The remains of stone walls reveal the layout of residential spaces and fortifications from medieval times.
The fortress was founded around 1220 and served for centuries as an administrative seat for the Hochstift Chur. In the early 1500s, it came under the control of a new family who governed the region.
The ruins show how castles once functioned as centers of power and territorial control in the region. Visitors can see the physical layout that shaped administration and local influence during medieval times.
The site is accessible by hiking up from below, with a walk of roughly 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from the nearest public transport stop. Wear sturdy footwear since the ground is uneven and the climb can be steep in places.
The castle managed to survive a major regional conflict in the 1440s without being destroyed, despite having to make protection payments during the war. This shows how some fortresses secured their survival through negotiation rather than combat.
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