Werdenberg Castle

The origins of Werdenberg Castle date back to 1228, when Count Rudolf von Montfort began construction of the keep. Shortly thereafter, around 1232, the palas and the curtain wall were erected. An inheritance division around 1230/40 led to Rudolf I von Montfort receiving the territory mainly on the left bank of the Rhine, and his descendants adopted the name "von Werdenberg". The castle served as the seat for the Counts of Werdenberg until the line died out without heirs with Rudolf II and Hugo V. In the following centuries, the castle changed hands, including the Counts of Sax-Misox and the Barons of Castelwart and Hewen. In 1517, it came into the possession of the Swiss canton of Glarus, which housed its bailiffs there. A fire in 1695 destroyed parts of the castle, including the roof structure and upper floors of the palas, but reconstruction began in the same winter.