Ruine Urgiz, Medieval castle ruins in Densbüren, Switzerland.

Ruine Urgiz consists of stone remains from a medieval castle perched on a steep rocky ridge at 577 meters elevation, standing roughly 120 meters above the valley floor. The site displays preserved wall sections, a circular tower structure, and commands sweeping views across the surrounding landscape from its elevated vantage point.

The Lords of Uriols received the castle as a feudal grant from the Bishop of Strasbourg in 1277 and controlled the neighboring villages of Densbüren and Asp. In the early 16th century, Bern acquired the structure in 1502 and repurposed it as a strategic watchtower to monitor the border region.

The name Urgiz comes from the Lords of Uriols, recorded in 1277 when they held the castle as a fief from the Bishop of Strasbourg; the fief included the villages of Densbüren and Asp. From 1502 Bern kept a Hochwacht here for about three hundred years, signalling to the watch posts on the Homberg near Veltheim and the Gislifluh near Thalheim.

The climb to the ruins demands secure footing and proper footwear, as paths are steep and occasionally unprotected. Extra caution is wise during wet or snowy conditions, and visitors should allow ample time to safely explore the site.

From 1502 Bern kept a Hochwacht on the ruin, manned for about three hundred years. It signalled by sight to the watch posts on the Homberg near Veltheim and the Gislifluh near Thalheim. The wall remains were only uncovered and conserved in 1996/97.