Freudenfels Castle (Eschenz)

The history of Freudenfels Castle is long and eventful. The first mention of the castle dates back to 1359. Over the centuries, it has been owned by various noble families and religious institutions. Today, it serves as a modern educational and meeting center.

• 1359 First mention as a castle/fortress of the Lords of Hohenklingen
• 1617 A well-built barn, a farmhouse, a chicken and goose coop, a pigsty, a grain chute, and a herb and flower garden are also mentioned
• Until 1623, Freudenfels Castle had an eventful history of ownership. Names such as the Konstanz burgher family of Roggwiler, Junker Heinrich von Boswil, Konrad Egli von Herdern, and the von Payer family emerged from various purchase agreements. The castle served as the administrative center of the judicial lordship of Freudenfels-Eschenz.
• 1623 Einsiedeln Abbey acquires the castle and lordship
• Until 1685, the castle is inhabited by a governor and other fathers
• 1730 – 1922 It also serves as the residence of the pastor of Eschenz
• 1747 Abbot Nikolaus Imfeld has the castle rebuilt at the suggestion of Caspar Moosbrugger, the master builder of the current Einsiedeln Monastery. Freudenfels is thoroughly renovated and receives its current Baroque furnishings.
• 1965 The farm is leased out. Even today, the estate and the forest are managed by the same tenant family.
• 1985 The last governor of Freudenfels dies. Einsiedeln Abbey seeks a new use for the castle.
• 1989 Marti AG leases the property for 49 years and converts the castle and barn into an educational and meeting center.
• 1996 On July 1, 1996, LGT Schloss Freudenfels AG, a company of the LGT Group, takes over the lease and continues to operate it as a training center for its own employees and external guests.