Bernau Castle, Medieval castle ruin in Leibstadt, Switzerland
Bernau Castle is a medieval fortification on a hillside near Leibstadt in Switzerland, with foundation walls and portions of outer structures still standing. The remains can be explored across the site and provide a sense of the original size and layout of the fortress.
The fortress was founded in 1157 and served as a residence for the lords of Bernau until it passed to the Gutenburg family in the early 14th century. These changes in ownership shaped the castle's history and its role in the region.
The dual chapel on the grounds dates from the 17th century and now serves as the cemetery chapel for the community of Leibstadt. It maintains religious importance for local residents and shows how old structures took on new purposes over time.
The site is accessible by marked hiking trails from Leibstadt and works well as a short walk from town. Information panels on location explain the medieval structure and help visitors understand what they are looking at.
In 1415 a border line between Baden and Austria ran directly through one of the castle towers, showing how complex territorial control was during Switzerland's expansion. This detail illustrates how tangled the region's political situation had become.
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