Vaduz Castle

Vaduz Castle (German: Schloss Vaduz) is the palace and official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein.[1] The castle gave its name to the town of Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, which it overlooks from an adjacent hilltop.[2][3]

Vaduz Castle
Schloss Vaduz (in German)
Vaduz Castle as seen from the capital
Vaduz Castle is located in Liechtenstein
Vaduz Castle
Location within Liechtenstein
General information
TypePalace
LocationVaduz, Liechtenstein
Coordinates47°08′22″N 9°31′28″E
Construction started12th century
OwnerPrincely Family of Liechtenstein

History

The former owners, who were presumably also the builders, were the counts of Werdenberg-Sargans. The bergfried (the keep, built in the 12th century) and parts of the eastern side are the oldest. The tower stands on a piece of ground that is 12 by 13 metres (39 by 43 feet) in area. At the ground floor, the tower walls have a thickness of up to 4 metres (13 feet). The original entrance lay at the courtyard side at a height of 11 metres (36 feet). The chapel of St. Anna was presumably built in the Middle Ages as well. The main altar is late-gothic. In the Swabian War of 1499, the castle was burned by the Swiss Confederacy. The western side was expanded by Count Kaspar von Hohenems (1613–1640).[4][5][6][7]

The Princely Family of Liechtenstein acquired Vaduz Castle in 1712 when it purchased the countship of Vaduz. At this time, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, combined the countship with the Lordship of Schellenberg, purchased by the Liechtensteins in 1699, to form the present Principality of Liechtenstein.[8]

Today

The castle underwent a major restoration between 1904 and 1920, then again in the early 1920s during the reign of Prince Johann II, and was expanded during the early 1930s by Prince Franz Joseph II. Since 1938, the castle has been the primary residence of Liechtenstein's Princely Family. The castle is not open to the public as the princely family still lives in the castle.[9][10][11]

  • Schloss Vaduz
    Schloss Vaduz
  • View from north
    View from north
  • View from east
    View from east
  • View from the castle
    View from the castle
  • Vaduz Castle and the vineyards of the princely winery
    Vaduz Castle and the vineyards of the princely winery

See also

References
  1. "Sightseeing: Vaduz Castle – Liechtenstein". Gowealthy.com. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
  2. "Fun Things To Do in Vaduz – Attractions & Must See". VirtualTourist. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
  3. "Principality of Liechtenstein: Travel, holidays, vacations – Activities – Popular sights & the countryside: Vaduz Castle". 31 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  4. "Liechtenstein : The Official Tourism Site – Culture & Cuisine – Places of historical interest : Vaduz Castle". 2013-01-05. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  5. Cornelia Herrmann (2007). "Die Kunstdenkmäler des Fürstentums Liechtenstein. Das Oberland". Gesellschaft für Schweizerische Kunstgeschichte GSK: Die Kunstdenkmäler der Schweiz. Bern. ISBN 978-3-906131-85-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. "Vaduz Castle on Burgenwelt.de (in German)". 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  7. "Ground plan of Vaduz Castle on Burgenwelt.de (in German)". 2016-01-22. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  8. Galen R Frysinger, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. "Schloss Vaduz, Liechtenstein". Retrieved 22 July 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. "Article about Vaduz Castle and Schalun castle (includes images of both)". 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
  10. "Liechtenstein – Vaduz Castle". Tourismus.li. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
  11. "Photo gallery of Liechtenstein and Luxembourg castles, including photos of Vaduz Castle". 2011-08-18. Retrieved 2013-04-14.
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