Alt-Wädenswil Castle (Ruin) (Richterswil)

The Barons of Wädenswil, first mentioned in 1130 in a foundation charter of Fahr Monastery, established their ancestral seat, Alt-Wädenswil Castle, in the 13th century. The castle was first documented in writing in 1265. The oldest surviving part of the complex is the Baron's Tower, built before 1200, whose outer walls are constructed from boulders. As Rudolf III, the last Baron, had no descendants, he sold the dominion of Wädenswil to the Commandery of Bubikon in 1287. Wädenswil subsequently became a Commandery of the Knights Hospitaller. In the 14th century, the Commandery house was built as a fortified monastery, supplemented by a new moat. Its thirteen rooms, including a dormitory, refectory, convent, a pilgrim's hostel, and a chapel, primarily served the administration of the Commandery. In the 15th century, the entire castle grounds were surrounded by a curtain wall reinforced with towers.