Zwing Uri, Castle ruin near Amsteg in Silenen, Switzerland.
Zwing Uri is a castle ruin perched on a hilltop in the Reuss valley near Silenen in central Switzerland. The remains show the foundations of a defensive tower and sections of walls from an unfinished fortification project.
The fortress began in the 13th century on a site where people had lived during the Bronze Age. Construction stopped around 1320, and the fortification was never completed.
The ruins show how medieval fortifications controlled mountain passes and valleys in central Switzerland. This location was strategically important for the trade routes crossing through the Alps.
The site can be reached by several hiking trails, with the main route starting from Amsteg. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as parts of the climb are steep.
Excavations in 1978 found that a farmstead with three buildings already existed at the site around 1150, before the tower was built. This discovery reveals a longer history of use than the castle walls alone suggest.
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