Schwanau castle ruin, Medieval castle ruin on Schwanau island, Lake Lauerz, Switzerland.
Schwanau castle ruin is a fortified stone structure on an island in Lake Lauerz, positioned approximately 465 meters above sea level. The complex displays typical medieval construction methods with foundations and wall remains that archaeologists continue to study.
The structure was built around 1300 as a residence for regional nobility and played a role in local power structures for several centuries. After the Goldau landslide of 1806, hermits inhabited the island before General Ludwig Auf der Maur purchased it in 1808.
The ruins shape the island's appearance with stone walls that visitors notice immediately upon arrival. Over time, the site has become a landmark where people connect with the medieval past of the region.
Reaching the island requires taking a passenger ferry from the shore, with specialized boats available for people with limited mobility. Access to the site depends on weather conditions, as the water level varies seasonally.
After a devastating landslide in the region, the island became a refuge for hermits who lived there in solitude. This chapter remains part of local memory and shows how natural disasters reshaped human presence.
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