Greifensee Castle, Greifensee, Switzerland

The Counts of Rapperswil probably built a defense tower in the early 12th century on the site of today's Greifensee Castle. The beginnings of Greifensee Castle, which was partially destroyed in May 1444 (during the so-called Old Zürich War), date back to around 1250. The castle complex consisted of a Palas on a rock , which at the time stood directly on the lake shore and was protected on the other sides by a moat and ring wall. In 1520, the Zürich Council decided to rebuild the ruins to a modest castle.

After thorough renovation, the castle is now available to the public for conferences, seminars, lectures, presentations, receptions, courses, small concerts, exhibitions, cocktails and private events (banquets, weddings). You may also rent single rooms only.

User Reviews

Patricia Pierson (5 years ago)
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Romana Murray (5 years ago)
Great place for walking, cycling, skating, paddleboarding and swimming in summer... Well just anything you want to do, really. Busy but not full of tourists.

Lolit Meier (6 years ago)
Very nice

Pink Birds (6 years ago)
Don't miss the international exhibition yearly during ester time. And moreover its near by water ( am see) Greifende. Worth visiting.

Erik Wilde (7 years ago)
Small but cute. Nothing to go to from far away, but great location right next to the lake, so good to combine with some lake-related activity.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Roman Moško

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Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.

History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.

Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.

Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.

Greifensee Castle

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