Alt-Schellenberg Ruins

About this place

The Alt-Schellenberg Ruins, also called the «Lower Castle», are the second of two ruined castles in the municipality of Schellenberg. They stand at 590 m on the northwestern edge of the Eschnerberg plateau, about 150 m above the Rhine Valley. Open to the public, the site sees fewer visitors than its neighbour and feels quieter and greener. Though its name means «old», it is the younger of the two, built around 1250 on a hill settled since the Neolithic. It is first recorded in 1317, a tower was added about 1350, and a ring wall some thirty years later. The gate was moved, a kitchen with an oven was built at the old gate, and it probably came through the Appenzell Wars without major damage. You enter a wide grassy court surrounded by low walls of dark stone, with the tower's remains at one end like a truncated pyramid. Above the wall you can see a small arched oven, stone steps and thick trees around the hill. The Rhine Valley mountains show beyond the walls, and in autumn the forest turns a fine gold. It is 900 m in a straight line from the Neu-Schellenberg Ruins, linked by a historic ridge trail that suits a walk. The ground is uneven, so wear suitable shoes, and do not climb the walls, as the stone is old. Bring water, as the site has no facilities. This is a place to take slowly, with few signs, so read about it before you arrive.