Hohenklingen Castle, Medieval castle in Stein am Rhein, Switzerland
Hohenklingen Castle is a medieval fortress positioned on a hill overlooking the Rhine near Stein am Rhein. The structure displays stone walls and pitched roofs that preserve its medieval form from the 13th century onward.
Construction began in 1225, and the fortress quickly became the first toll station on the Rhine, controlling trade flowing between Lake Constance and Basel. This role as a commercial checkpoint secured its regional importance for centuries.
The castle serves as a defining landmark for Stein am Rhein and shapes how visitors first see the town from the riverside. People who climb up here gain a sense of how central this location was to the identity of the region.
The fortress is accessible via well-marked hiking trails that depart from Stein am Rhein town center and climb toward the hilltop. The walk takes roughly 30 minutes and rewards visitors with views across the Rhine valley.
The fortress has retained its 13th-century appearance without suffering major damage from warfare or conflict. This preservation makes it a rare window into how medieval defensive architecture evolved in this period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
