Moosburg Effretikon, Medieval castle ruin in Illnau-Effretikon, Switzerland.
Moosburg Effretikon is a medieval castle ruin located on a morainic hill and surrounded by defensive ditches. The rectangular residential tower is approximately 13 meters long and 10.5 meters wide with walls about 2.2 meters thick.
The castle was built in 1254 by Count Hartmann IV of Kyburg for Margaret of Savoy. Zurich troops destroyed the fortification in 1386 during regional conflicts.
The ruins reflect how fortified residences were built and occupied in this region during the Middle Ages. Walking around the site, one can sense the practical needs that shaped its construction and layout.
The ruin is accessible from the south via a hill path and sits in a quiet, green setting. Visitors should bring appropriate footwear since the site is outdoors and exposed to weather conditions.
Excavations in 1952 uncovered pottery fragments, a crossbow bolt, and ceramic stove tiles from around 1400. These discoveries provide direct evidence of how people lived at the site during medieval times.
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