Top 15 Castles around Sils im Domleschg
Castles around Sils im Domleschg offer a glimpse into the region's historical landscape, situated in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. This area is characterized by its valley floors and rocky spurs, providing strategic locations for historic fortifications. The Domleschg valley is known for its concentration of castles, reflecting centuries of settlement and territorial significance. Exploring these sites provides insight into the area's past and its connection to Alpine pass routes.
Best castles around Sils im Domleschg
- The most popular castles is View of Hohen Rätien Castle Ruins, a castle that offers panoramic views over the Domleschg valley and the Viamala Gorge. This site has deep historical roots, with evidence of continuous use for over 4,000 years.
- Another must-see spot is Cagliatscha Castle Ruins, a historical site. Visitors can explore the ruins of this hilltop castle, which also serves as a rest area.
- Visitors also love Rietberg Castle, a historical castle. This castle was the seat of the Lords of Rietberg and has a documented history dating back to the 13th century.
- Sils im Domleschg is known for its medieval castle ruins, well-preserved castles, and those with modern uses. The region offers a variety of historical structures to explore, from ancient fortifications to castles repurposed as youth hostels.
- The castles around Sils im Domleschg are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 320 upvotes and 55 photos shared across the highlights.
Last updated: May 10, 2026
View of Hohen Rätien Castle Ruins
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Rietberg Castle
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Rietberg was the seat of the Lords of Rietberg, who are mentioned in a document dated July 29, 1286 as vassals of the Lords of Sax-Misox and are attested several times in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the course of the 14th century they are mentioned as ministerials of the Bishop of Chur. They owned property in Domleschg, Schams and Chur.
In the marriage contract with his wife Berta von Rhäzüns in 1320, Johann von Rietberg stipulated that Berta should own the castle until her death. In 1343, however, he transferred other property to his wife and in 1348 handed it over to the Lords of Landenberg, who were related to him, along with his fiefdom. Johann von Rietberg died on September 5, 1349. Hermann von Landenberg was unable to enforce his inheritance claims and renounced them in favor of the Bishopric of Chur in 1352.
In January 1354, the bishop issued several documents at the castle. The Lords of Rhäzüns and Lumerins, however, made further claims; the final payment was not made until 1388, after decades of disputes.
The bishop appointed burgraves as administrators; Eglolf von Juvalt is mentioned in 1384. In the following period, a long series of mortgages, with the mortgage amount constantly increasing, ultimately cost the bishop the property. After several changes of ownership, the castle came into the hands of Anton von Travers in 1530, and through his heirs in 1554 to Herkules von Salis (1503–1578). In 1617, the property was divided: one half remained with the Salis, the other went to Pompejus Planta, the leader of the Catholics, who was related to the Salis by marriage. In the turmoil in the Grisons, Planta was murdered on February 25, 1621 by Jörg Jenatsch and his like-minded friends at Rietberg Castle. The crime was later made into a literary work by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer in the novella Jürg Jenatsch. In 1664, Rietberg was sold to Colonel Christoph von Rosenroll from Thusis for 9,000 guilders, and in 1670 to the von Buol family. In 1758, the Buol-Schauenstein family bought Planta's share, thus ending the previous division.
Other owners in 1798 were the Prince-Bishop of Chur, Karl Rudolf, who wanted to set up a seminary there. The invasion of French troops in the Three Leagues prevented the plan. Rietberg was owned by Countess Emilie von Travers in 1802, the Cadonau from Waltensburg in 1803, then Colonel von Bergamin from Obervaz and again by Countess von Travers in 1822. In the same year, Pastor Christian Casparis acquired the castle. In 1917, it passed to the Rudolf Planta-Casparis family through marriage.
Text: Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Rietberg
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Schauenstein Castle
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An episcopal Meierhof as the origin of Fürstenau
The episcopal power in Domleschg was probably already developed in the epoch of the Frankish Empire, in the first millennium. The incompletely preserved Reichsurbar (list of goods and taxes of the imperial rule) from 831 shows that a ministry Tumliasca (bishop's administrative apparatus Domleschg) existed. This faced a vicedominus with judicial authority. It is conceivable that the episcopal administration was originally based in Hohenrätien ob Sils i.D. had, but had been moved to one of the three Carolingian royal courts of Scharans, Almens and Tomils early on. Presumably an administrative officer (Meier) of the bishop took up residence in Baumgartenland Maros near Fürstenau. The name Maros goes back to the Latin word ad majoranem, the accusative of maiora (= dairy farm or farmstead). From this, the name Mairaus developed via ad maioranes, which as a name for Fürstenau first appears in documents in the first half of the 12th century.
The development of the city
In the course of the 14th century, the sovereign large castle acquired a modest urban character as a result of the denser settlement of the outer bailey. A document from 1383 testifies that the main castle was in front of the bridge to a bailey (lat. atrium). Peasant and artisan subjects lived here, who were responsible for the supply of the lords of the castle, and, as the House of Stoffel shows, apparently also knightly servants.
Architectural and political developments are interrelated. In the middle of the 14th century, the diocese of Chur not only managed to obtain market privileges, but also a place of jurisdiction for blood justice. King Charles IV had Bishop Ulrich V (1331-1355) present a diploma on May 13, 1354, which gave Fürstenau the right to jail, sticks and gallows, as well as the holding of two annual markets on St. Michael's and St. George's Day . This meant that Fürstenau had also become a city in a legal sense. Its expansion from 1354 coincides with that of the castle mentioned in 1272.
The town was not only of great importance as a trading and market place, it had also risen to become the center of princely possessions in the upper part of the Domleschg. So the castle has clearly proven itself as a strong attraction.
Around 1300, a territorialization process began in the Graubünden area, which had a significant influence on political events up until after 1450. Noble dominions such as that of the Lords of Rhäzüns supplemented or overlaid the episcopal dominion. Neither party had a closed territory.
As early as the first half of the 14th century, Fürstenau was drawn into the maelstrom of the episcopal power struggles. The few surviving documentary mentions of Fürstenau should be seen in this context: In 1333 the bishop promised the lords of Rhäzüns 1000 marks, four hundred of them through Fürstenau Castle, which was then pledged. In 1347 the castle served as security so that the bishop would go back into the captivity of the Count of Tyrol, from which he had been released. Fürstenau was then handed over to Walter von Stadion. In 1351 an arbitral tribunal had to decide the dispute over Fürstenau Castle between the bishop and the Counts of Montfort. Finally, in 1367, Fürstenau was occupied by the cathedral chapter and the bishop's vassals. In 1387 it regained great importance in connection with the expansion of the Septimer Pass by Johann von Castelmur.
Text: City of Fürstenau
fuerstenau.ch/Portrait/History
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Sins Castle
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A castle with a changing face: Sins Castle in Paspels, which is just over 300 years old.
Paspels Castle was probably built by Jahn Victor von Travers-Ortenstein around 1695. Parts of the main wing probably date from this time, although they can no longer be identified. Around 1730, the builder's son of the same name seems to have carried out extensive reconstruction. This reconstruction is probably the basis for the overall layout of the current complex, especially the staircase. It is considered the presumed birthplace of Pompejus Planta, who became known as an opponent of Jürg Jenatsch.
Further modifications were carried out by Lieutenant General Victor von Travers, who also had the chapel built on April 25, 1760 in honor of the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The last major renovation took place in 1892/93 under Colonel Freidrich von Tscharner (later at Ortenstein) with a redesign of the exterior. The architect was Nicolaus Hartmann sen., St. Moritz. In 1911, ownership was transferred to Minister F. von Salis-Soglio. Sins Castle was run as a hotel until 2012.
Text / Source: Viamala Tourism, Bodaplatz 4, 7435 Splügen
viamala.ch/de/ausflugsziele/schloss-sins
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Cagliatscha Castle Ruins
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burgenwelt.org/schweiz/cagliatscha/object.php
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Tips from the Community
This castle is located 250m above the Oden valley. It is privately owned and is very well preserved. Inside there is seating and a fireplace. Entrance fee is 5 francs to help maintain this beautiful castle.
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The ruins are great to look at.
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The Höhen Rätien Castle is a hilltop and church castle high on the rock at an altitude of 946 metres above the entrance to the Viamala Gorge. It is located in Sils im Domelschg Hinterrhein Graubünden. It is one of the oldest cultural and settlement sites in Switzerland.
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Rietberg Castle stands above Pratval in Doleschg Graubünden. It was built in 1225 as a hilltop castle at an altitude of 723 metres.
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Sins Castle in Paspels Domleschg Graubünden was rebuilt between 1646 and 1725 by Johann Viktor Travers von Ortenstein as a hilltop castle at a height of 660 metres above the previous building.
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Rietberg Castle, Rietberg Rietberg was the seat of the Lords of Rietberg, who are mentioned in a document dated July 29, 1286 as vassals of the Lords of Sax-Misox and are attested several times in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the course of the 14th century they are mentioned as ministerials of the Bishop of Chur. They owned property in Domleschg, Schams and Chur. In the marriage contract with his wife Berta von Rhäzüns in 1320, Johann von Rietberg stipulated that Berta should own the castle until her death. In 1343, however, he transferred other property to his wife and in 1348 handed it over to the Lords of Landenberg, who were related to him, along with his fiefdom. Johann von Rietberg died on September 5, 1349. Hermann von Landenberg was unable to enforce his inheritance claims and renounced them in favor of the Bishopric of Chur in 1352. In January 1354, the bishop issued several documents at the castle. The Lords of Rhäzüns and Lumerins, however, made further claims; the final payment was not made until 1388, after decades of disputes. The bishop appointed burgraves as administrators; Eglolf von Juvalt is mentioned in 1384. In the following period, a long series of mortgages, with the mortgage amount constantly increasing, ultimately cost the bishop the property. After several changes of ownership, the castle came into the hands of Anton von Travers in 1530, and through his heirs in 1554 to Herkules von Salis (1503–1578). In 1617, the property was divided: one half remained with the Salis, the other went to Pompejus Planta, the leader of the Catholics, who was related to the Salis by marriage. In the turmoil in the Grisons, Planta was murdered on February 25, 1621 by Jörg Jenatsch and his like-minded friends at Rietberg Castle. The crime was later made into a literary work by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer in the novella Jürg Jenatsch. In 1664, Rietberg was sold to Colonel Christoph von Rosenroll from Thusis for 9,000 guilders, and in 1670 to the von Buol family. In 1758, the Buol-Schauenstein family bought Planta's share, thus ending the previous division. Other owners in 1798 were the Prince-Bishop of Chur, Karl Rudolf, who wanted to set up a seminary there. The invasion of French troops in the Three Leagues prevented the plan. Rietberg was owned by Countess Emilie von Travers in 1802, the Cadonau from Waltensburg in 1803, then Colonel von Bergamin from Obervaz and again by Countess von Travers in 1822. In the same year, Pastor Christian Casparis acquired the castle. In 1917, it passed to the Rudolf Planta-Casparis family through marriage. Text: Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schloss_Rietberg
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Sins Castle in Paspels A castle with a changing face: Sins Castle in Paspels, which is just over 300 years old. Paspels Castle was probably built by Jahn Victor von Travers-Ortenstein around 1695. Parts of the main wing probably date from this time, although they can no longer be identified. Around 1730, the builder's son of the same name seems to have carried out extensive reconstruction. This reconstruction is probably the basis for the overall layout of the current complex, especially the staircase. It is considered the presumed birthplace of Pompejus Planta, who became known as an opponent of Jürg Jenatsch. Further modifications were carried out by Lieutenant General Victor von Travers, who also had the chapel built on April 25, 1760 in honor of the names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. The last major renovation took place in 1892/93 under Colonel Freidrich von Tscharner (later at Ortenstein) with a redesign of the exterior. The architect was Nicolaus Hartmann sen., St. Moritz. In 1911, ownership was transferred to Minister F. von Salis-Soglio. Sins Castle was run as a hotel until 2012. Text / Source: Viamala Tourism, Bodaplatz 4, 7435 Splügen https://www.viamala.ch/de/ausflugsziele/schloss-sins
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most historically significant castles to visit in the Sils im Domleschg area?
The region is rich in history. Hohenrätien Castle Ruins stand out with roots dating back to the Bronze Age and Roman settlements, offering a deep dive into over 4,000 years of continuous use. Another significant site is Rietberg Castle, which was the seat of the Lords of Rietberg and has a documented history from the 13th century, including dramatic events like the murder of Pompejus Planta.
Are there any castles in Sils im Domleschg that offer unique experiences beyond just ruins?
Yes, Ehrenfels Castle, built in the 13th century, has been uniquely repurposed as a youth hostel. It offers a 'knightly ambiance' for accommodations, events, and group activities, complete with an outdoor play area and grilling facilities. While its interior is not open to the public, Baldenstein Castle can be admired from the outside, particularly from the Domleschg Castle Trail, for its striking presence and well-preserved medieval tower.
What is the best time of year to visit the castles and go hiking in Sils im Domleschg?
The warmer months, generally from March to October, are ideal for visiting the castles and exploring the surrounding hiking trails. During this period, sites like the church and tower at Hohenrätien Castle are typically open. The weather is also more favorable for outdoor activities like mountain hikes and running trails.
Are there family-friendly activities or castles suitable for children in the region?
Ehrenfels Castle, with its current function as a youth hostel, is particularly family-friendly. It features an outdoor play area and grilling facilities, making it a great spot for families. Exploring the ruins of castles like Cagliatscha Castle Ruins can also be an engaging adventure for children, offering space to explore and imagine.
Can I combine a castle visit with outdoor activities like hiking or cycling?
Absolutely. The castles are often situated along scenic routes. You can find various outdoor activities nearby, including mountain hikes, running trails, and road cycling routes. Many castles, like Hohenrätien, are reached via rewarding paths that offer panoramic views, making the journey part of the experience.
What kind of views can I expect from the castles in Sils im Domleschg?
Many castles in the region offer spectacular panoramic views. For instance, Hohenrätien Castle Ruins are known for their breathtaking vistas over the Domleschg valley and the Viamala Gorge. Other sites like Cagliatscha Castle Ruins also serve as viewpoints, providing picturesque scenery of the surrounding landscape.
Are there any castles that are particularly well-preserved or offer insights into medieval architecture?
Campell Castle, though a ruin, is notable because much of its original structure remains, particularly the central tower and eastern wing, which retain their medieval character. Its history of construction, ownership changes, and rebuilding efforts provides a comprehensive narrative of medieval castle development. Baldenstein Castle also features a well-preserved medieval tower with walls up to 2.1 meters thick.
What are some of the lesser-known but interesting castles or historical sites in the area?
Schauenstein Castle in Fürstenau is an interesting site that evolved from an episcopal Meierhof and gained urban character in the 14th century, even acquiring market privileges. Sins Castle in Paspels, while having undergone significant modifications, showcases a changing architectural face over centuries and was run as a hotel until 2012.
What should I bring for a castle hike in Sils im Domleschg?
Given that many castles are reached via paths that can be steep, comfortable and sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. Depending on the season, layers of clothing, water, and snacks are advisable. For sites like Hohenrätien, an audio-visual guide is available, so consider bringing headphones or ensuring your phone is charged.
Are there any castles that are accessible year-round?
The grounds of Hohenrätien Castle are accessible year-round. However, specific parts like the church and tower are typically open during the warmer months, from March to October. It's always a good idea to check local information for specific opening hours, especially for interiors or guided tours.
What do visitors enjoy most about the castles around Sils im Domleschg?
Visitors frequently appreciate the deep historical roots and the opportunity to explore sites that have seen continuous use for thousands of years, such as Hohenrätien Castle Ruins. The panoramic views over the Domleschg valley and the Viamala Gorge are also a major highlight, as is the unique blend of historical architecture with modern uses, like Ehrenfels Castle serving as a youth hostel.
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