Kindhausen ruin, Medieval castle ruin in Bergdietikon, Switzerland
Kindhausen ruin is a medieval castle complex on a hilltop near Bergdietikon with a round tower and residential building remains. The round tower has an inner diameter of about 4 meters with thick walls, while nearby are foundation remains of a rectangular dwelling structure.
The Lords of Schönenwerd built this castle in the late 12th century as a strategic point in the region. A medieval fire damaged the complex severely, after which it gradually fell into decay and was abandoned.
The name Kindhausen may derive from early residents, and the ruins show how buildings were spread across the hilltop in medieval times. The layout reveals how people organized their living spaces in this elevated location.
The ruin sits at about 721 meters elevation on the Hasenberg ridge and offers views over the Limmat Valley. The site is accessible on foot, with views reaching toward the city of Zurich.
The round shape of the main tower was unusual for this area, where most castles had square towers. Excavations in 1936 found pottery fragments and an arrow-shaped spearhead, which suggest this distinctive choice.
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