Burgruine Bottenstein, Medieval castle ruins in Zofingen, Switzerland.
Burgruine Bottenstein are the stone remains of a medieval castle sitting on a wooded hill at 595 meters elevation. The visible ruins show foundation walls of a square defensive tower and a residential building, with the western side marking the living quarters.
The castle was founded around 1255 by the Lords of Aarburg and changed hands several times before being abandoned around 1460. The remaining walls were partially demolished in 1949, which shaped the site as it appears today.
The ruins hold the status of a regional cultural property in Switzerland and preserve the original building elements of a medieval noble residence. Visitors can read from the stones how the lords once lived here and controlled their lands from this hilltop.
The ruins are accessible via two documented hiking routes that connect the surrounding villages of Bottenwil and Wikon to the elevated site. The climb is moderately steep, and sturdy footwear is recommended, especially when the ground is wet or slippery.
Archaeological excavations at the site uncovered ceramic fragments, crossbow bolts, and Gothic stove tiles from the 13th and 14th centuries. These finds reveal the daily life of the castle dwellers and their connections to skilled craftsmen.
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