Burg Oltigen, Medieval hill castle ruins in Radelfingen, Switzerland.
Burg Oltigen is a medieval fortification that once crowned a steep hill overlooking the Aare River near Radelfingen. The site retains an oval floor plan with foundation remains and features an underground passage that extends beneath the surrounding landscape.
The fortress served as the administrative center of a regional county and held this role until the early 15th century. Its decline came during a peasant uprising in 1410 when the fortification was destroyed and its ruling family was eliminated.
The site today serves as a reminder of the region's medieval power structure and the role such fortifications played in local governance. Visitors can sense how this location once anchored the identity and security of the surrounding communities.
Access to the archaeological site comes via an unpaved road that connects two nearby hamlets and is open to visitors. Sturdy footwear is advisable due to the steep slope and uneven terrain of the hilltop location.
Surprising to many visitors is the underground passage Güggelisloch, which appears to have been carved by hand and may have served as an escape route during emergencies. This passage reveals the engineering skill and defensive thinking of the medieval inhabitants.
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