Castelmur Castle, Medieval castle ruin in Bondo, Switzerland
Castelmur Castle consists of stone remains of a medieval fortress positioned on a rocky ledge above the Maira river, commanding the approach to the Septimer Pass. The ruins spread across several levels of the slope and still display foundations of residential quarters, towers, and defensive walls.
Romans built a guard station called Murus here in the third century to monitor trade traffic. During the Middle Ages, a fortress developed from this post under the authority of the Bishop of Chur, overseeing commerce through the Alps.
The ruins reveal how medieval people built their homes and defenses into steep mountain terrain to guard against threats. Visitors walking through the site can sense how the structure fit into the landscape and dominated the river passage below.
Access is via marked hiking trails that climb from Bondo village toward the remains on the slope. The paths are steep in sections and require sturdy footwear, with parking available near the village church.
The fortress functioned as both a residence and a customs checkpoint where merchants paid tolls to trade between Italy and Switzerland. This toll system brought considerable wealth and power to its rulers through the centuries.
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