Besserstein ruins, Archaeological site and castle ruin in Villigen, Switzerland.
Besserstein ruins are a medieval castle site on elevated terrain in the municipality of Villigen in Aargau. The stone remains and earthworks still show the spatial layout of this former defensive installation.
The castle was built in the Middle Ages as a fortification to control the surrounding area. The ruin was placed under protection as a class B cultural property with regional significance in 2017.
The site displays typical features of a medieval fortification as it existed in this region. The visible structures help visitors understand how settlements were protected in that period.
The ruin is reachable on foot via Burghalde street, which leads upward from Villigen. Information panels at the site provide explanations about the location and its background.
The location on a spur above the surrounding area was a clever military choice that gave the castle a commanding view. This topographic position shows how medieval builders used terrain to their defensive advantage.
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