Laufenburg Castle

Around 1180, the area around present-day Laufenburg came into the possession of the Habsburgs. They initiated the construction of fortifications on both sides of the Rhine, including the first Laufenburg Castle. Later parts of the complex were probably integrated into the new construction. When Count Rudolf II of Habsburg wanted to found a town near the castle complex, this was initially thwarted by the objection of the abbess of Säckingen Abbey. Rudolf's son later moved his residence to the southern castle complex, converted it into a residence, and founded the Habsburg-Laufenburg dynasty. The keep, still visible today, dates from this period. Despite initial resistance, the settlement that grew around the castle received town rights in the 13th century, which were renewed in 1328. Financial difficulties forced Count Hans IV in 1386 to sell the castle and the lordship of Laufenburg to Duke Leopold III of Austria for 12,000 guilders. During the Old Zürich War in 1443, Laufenburg Castle was severely damaged by troops from Basel and Bern.