Altbodman Castle

The origins of Altbodman Castle date back to 1170, when it was built as the residence of the Lords of Bodman, ministerials of the Staufer dynasty. Its predecessor on today's Frauenberg was destroyed in 1307 by a lightning strike and subsequent fire, killing numerous nobles. Only the one-year-old Johannes von Bodman survived. Under his aegis, the present Altbodman castle ruin was built, completed in 1332. During the Swiss War in 1499, the castle suffered damage and was later expanded into a fortress. However, it also fell victim to the Thirty Years' War and was destroyed by French troops in 1643.