Tellenburg castle ruin, Medieval castle ruin in Frutigen, Switzerland
Tellenburg is a castle ruin near Frutigen situated on elevated ground and composed of stone walls and tower remnants. From this location, views extend across the valley and surrounding mountains.
The von Kien family built this fortified structure around 1200 as a regional defense installation. It later came under Bernese administration and served various functions until abandonment in the 18th century.
The ruins display elements of medieval Swiss building techniques that remain visible in the stonework and layout today. They give a sense of how such fortified structures functioned and what role they played in the region.
Marked hiking trails lead upward from Frutigen town center to the ruins and are accessible for casual walkers. The best time to visit is during dry weather, as the ground is uneven and can be slippery in places.
A major fire destroyed the site in 1885, leaving behind the visible ruins we see today as evidence of this dramatic event. This blaze permanently altered the appearance of what had been a former toll station and administrative building.
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