| Ortenstein Castle | |
|---|---|
Schloss Ortenstein | |
| Domleschg | |
 Ortenstein Castle | |
| Site information | |
| Type | hill castle |
| Code | CH-GR |
| Condition | privately owned |
| Location | |
  Ortenstein Castle  Ortenstein Castle | |
| Coordinates | 46°45′35″N9°26′07″E / 46.759765°N 9.435285°E /46.759765; 9.435285 |
| Height | 754 m above the sea |
| Site history | |
| Built | about 1250 |
Ortenstein Castle is acastle in themunicipality ofDomleschg of theCanton of Graubünden inSwitzerland. It is a Swissheritage site of national significance.[1]
The castle was built around 1250 on thebishop's land nearTumegl/Tomils. It was built either by the Bishop of Chur or by his representative, the Lords of Vaz.[2] The ecclesiastical farms in Tomils were given as afief to the Vaz family in 1275. The castle is first mentioned in 1309 asOrtenstain.[3] In 1338 the castle fief was inherited by Ursula vonWerdenberg after the extinction of the male heirs of Vaz. By the 14th century theministerialis (unfree knights in service to a higher noble) family of Ortenstein held the castle for the Werdenberg-Sargans family. In the 15th century a number of nobles lived in Ortenstein. The castle was destroyed in 1451 during a war between the residents of theSchams valley and the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans.[4]
On 21 July 1452 the Counts and theLeague of God's House signed a peace treaty. Unlike many of the castles which were damaged during the war and left in ruins, the counts were allowed to rebuild Ortenstein as long as they swore never to use it against the League. The new castle incorporated the main tower from the old, while the rest was new. The main gate was moved from the north-east side to the south and a large gatehouse tower was added. In 1455 the castle was given ascollateral to Peter von Griffensee, followed by the Counts of Montfort in 1463 and the town ofGlarus in 1471. It remained the property of Count Georg von Werdenberg-Sargans until his death in 1505. After 1505 it passed through a number of hands until 1527 when Ludwig Tschudi sold it and the rulership rights to the village of Tumegl/Tomils.[5]
The following year Victor von Buhlen acquired the castle. The castle then came to the Travers family after Victor's daughter married Jakob Travers. The Travers family was a wealthypatrician family and became one of the most powerful in theThree Leagues. The castle remained in the family for centuries and during the 18th century they rebuilt much of it.[5] In 1846 the family fell into financial trouble and the castle was given to their creditors to settle some of their debts. In 1856 the creditors sold Ortenstein to Father Theodosius Florentini who hoped to turn it into a home for neglected children. The Father was unable to raise enough money and in 1860 sold it for 103,000Swiss francs to Wolfgang von Juvalta. In 1893 it was inherited by the Tscharner family, who still own it today.[4]
The main tower of the castle is a seven-story residence tower that is 11 m × 11 m (36 ft × 36 ft) and has walls that are up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) thick. From the 15th century reconstruction only the wing north of the tower and the chapel on its third floor retain their originalGothic appearance. Between 1720 and 1740 it was extensively rebuilt. The west wing was extended, the gatehouse raised and a new east wing was added.[4]
