Château Knonau, Medieval château in Knonau, Switzerland
Château Knonau is a medieval castle in Knonau, Zürich, featuring a rectangular stone structure surrounded by gardens. The building showcases typical fortress design from its era with solid walls and a compact layout.
First documented in 1240 as property of Damenstift Schänis, the castle sustained damage during the Second Kappeler War in the 1530s. Following these conflicts, the structure received defensive reinforcements to strengthen its walls.
The château earned recognition as a class B Swiss cultural property of regional significance, representing architectural heritage within the Zürich canton administration.
The castle is located at Schloss 1, 8934 Knonau and is reachable via the S5 line of the Zürich S-Bahn from Zürich Hauptbahnhof. Parking is available on the grounds, and the site is easy to reach on foot once you arrive in the village.
In the 1920s, the medieval fortress was transformed into a private psychiatric clinic when Dr. Jakob Kläsi-Blumer acquired the property. This conversion shows how historical buildings can completely change their purpose while keeping their distinctive structure intact.
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