Mörsburg Castle (Stadel)

The oldest verifiable traces of wood date back to around 1100, and the oldest surviving structural elements date from the first half of the 12th century. Major alterations and extensions were carried out under Hartmann IV von Kyburg, who expanded the castle with an outer bailey on the southern terraces, which is mentioned in 1253.

The existing predecessor building was probably reinforced by Adalbert von Mörsburg with massive boulders, forming a U-shaped casing that opens towards the garden. The reinforcing wall extends about five meters beyond the actual core to the south. The connection of the two ends created the bailey-like staircase, which was initially open and later covered.

In addition, a third upper floor was added to the tower. It is striking that the masonry of boulders only begins about two meters above the ground. This could be an indication that the original motte was removed, making the foundation visible. The square floor plan measures around 16 meters, and the wall thickness is almost 5 meters.

In the middle of the 13th century, extensive construction work was carried out under the Kyburgs. An outer bailey is mentioned on the south side in 1253, and a knight's house also seems to have been built. In addition, an early Gothic chapel with ribbed vaults was built, resting directly on the old wall crown. The similarities in the execution of the capitals with capitals from St. Pierre Cathedral in Geneva can be attributed to Hartmann's wife Margaretha of Savoy.

Also in the 13th century, the complex reached its greatest extent when a ring wall encompassed the two southern terraces. Within the walls were several residential and economic buildings. The last components of the large defensive complex and the knight's house were destroyed, except for the existing tower, at the latest during the Appenzell Wars in the 15th century.

The half-timbered floor, the fourth upper floor of the tower with the large and small hall, dates from the time of the Goldenbergs. A three-story extension houses the staircase.

In 1931, the castle was extensively renovated under the direction of architect J. N. Bürkel. In 1973/74, the interior was renovated again.

• The garden to the south of the complex shows the wall lines excavated and secured in 1979 and 1980.
• Cellar: wine barrels, a small wine press, and two old inn signs
• 1st floor: stove ceramics, books, and Colonel von Clavis's weapon collection
• 2nd floor: objects from the history of the fire brigade and tower clocks. The main room features the exhibition "Nobility and Castle Building"
• 3rd floor: early Gothic chapel based on a French model
• 4th floor: the large banqueting hall from 1735 and the small hall with the oldest complete tower stove by Ludwig Pfau I. The cube-shaped stove in the same room is by Heinrich Pfau (1598–1673)

Mörsburg is a legendary site of the Golden Kegelspiel (where the Golden Kegelspiel is said to be a treasure). According to the legend, a young woman sits in an underground passage, with the treasure at her feet. She is guarded by a black dog and awaits a youth who will redeem her with three kisses and take her home along with the treasure.