Sargans Castle, Medieval castle in Sargans, Switzerland
Sargans Castle sits on a hilltop where two valleys meet and features thick stone walls, several towers, and well-preserved buildings arranged to defend the area. The layout shows how medieval builders organized fortifications to control movement through the valleys below.
The fortress was built in 1282 as a residence for the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans, who ruled the surrounding lands. In 1483 Swiss administrators took over and used it as a center for managing regional affairs.
The museum inside displays objects from the surrounding region and tells stories about how people lived in the valleys nearby. Visitors can see how crafts, tools, and daily life changed across the centuries.
The site sits on a hillside and is reached on foot, so wear proper walking shoes for the climb. It helps to check opening times in advance since hours vary with the season.
Excavations beneath the oldest sections reveal signs of an earlier fortification that once stood on this same strategic spot. This shows that the hilltop location remained important to whoever ruled the area across many generations.
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