Neu-Süns Castle, Castle ruins in Domleschg, Switzerland
Neu-Süns Castle is a castle ruin in Domleschg with a five-story round tower as its central structure, featuring walls that measure roughly 1.5 meters thick at the base. The northern section of the tower remains largely intact, showing window openings and traces of fireplaces from the medieval period.
The castle was built between 1250 and 1300 by the Vaz family and first appeared in written records as 'nüwer Sünnes' in 1337. In 1451, the southern wall was deliberately destroyed during conflicts between the Schams valley and Werdenberg-Sargans, creating the permanent ruins we see today.
This fortress served as a seat of power for a regional family whose control shaped life in the valley for centuries. The structure reflects how authority and trade were managed in this Alpine region.
The ruins sit at approximately 815 meters elevation and you can observe the northern tower section with its window seats and fireplace structures from outside. This location requires sure footing since paths to mountain ruins in this region are often steep and uneven.
The southern part was never rebuilt but deliberately left standing as a warning to future generations. This choice turned the ruins into a visible reminder of a conflict that shaped regional politics for decades to come.
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