Alt-Toggenburg, Castle ruin in Kirchberg, Switzerland.
Alt-Toggenburg is a castle ruin perched on a narrow ridge at roughly 970 meters elevation, displaying thick stone walls and foundations. The site spreads along the ridge with a central residential tower positioned in the middle section.
The castle was founded around 1044 by the Counts of Toggenburg and was a key holding in regional power structures. After a destructive attack in 1085, the fortress was rebuilt to restore its defensive capabilities.
The St. Idda Chapel, built in the 1930s, stands as a focal point where visitors stop to reflect and pray. It draws people who come to the ruins specifically to visit this small sacred space.
The site sits on a mountain ridge and requires a moderately challenging hike to reach, with paths that can become slippery in wet weather. Sturdy footwear is recommended, and visitors should allow time for both the climb and exploring the ruins.
In the 1700s, the ruins were quarried for stone, which destroyed large sections of the original structure and explains its scattered and fragmented appearance today. This repurposing shows how the site was gradually dismantled for practical reasons rather than through warfare or neglect.
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