Baldenstein Castle (Sils im Domleschg)

The origins of Baldenstein Castle date back to the first half of the 13th century, when the four-story tower was constructed. Between 1246 and 1252, an Ebo von Baldenstein is mentioned as its builder. In 1289, the castle was owned by the Lords of Löwenstein from Ilanz, but briefly passed to the Barons of Rhäzüns during a feud before Hartwig von Löwenstein reclaimed it. Through inheritance, Baldenstein later came into the possession of the von Übercastel family. A dispute over building rights with the Bishop of Chur was settled in 1349, granting the bishop a pre-emptive right and open access to the castle. From 1400, the Lords of Stein were the owners, followed by the Ringg family from 1433, who later called themselves Ringg von Baldenstein. In 1562, Luzius Ringg sold the castle to Jakob Ruinelli. After Ruinelli's death in 1627, Baldenstein passed through marriage to Colonel Christoph Rosenroll and in 1716 to Vincenz von Salis. In 1782, Francesco Conrado acquired the castle, which remains in the possession of the Conrad von Baldenstein Family Foundation to this day. A fire in 1877 partially destroyed the complex, which was subsequently rebuilt with neo-Gothic elements.