Belfort Castle: A Medieval Stronghold in Albula/Alvra, Switzerland

Visitor Information

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Country: Switzerland

Civilization: Medieval European

Remains: Military

History

Belfort Castle ruin is located in the municipality of Albula/Alvra, Switzerland. Constructed by medieval European nobility, it first appears in historical records in the early 13th century. The castle became a significant stronghold for the Lords of Vaz, a powerful noble family whose influence dominated the region.

Around 1200, the earliest sections of Belfort were established, shortly before it was documented in 1222. Following the abandonment of their earlier residence at Nivagl, the Lords of Vaz made Belfort their principal seat. Throughout the 13th and early 14th centuries, the castle stood as a focal point in local power struggles. The Vaz family engaged in frequent conflicts with other regional authorities, including the Bishop of Chur. Notably, in 1287 and again in 1332, representatives of the Bishop were killed at Belfort, underscoring the site’s turbulent role in the era’s rivalries.

The death of Donat von Vaz, the last male heir of the family, in 1337 led to a change in ownership. Through his daughter Kunigunde, Belfort passed into the hands of the Counts of Toggenburg. The new lords likely administered the estate by appointing a vogt, or bailiff, to oversee the castle and its surrounding territory.

Following the death of Frederick VII von Toggenburg in 1436, control over Belfort became contested. In 1439, the castle was awarded jointly to Wilhelm von Montfort-Tettnang and Heinrich von Sax-Misox. Both installed a bailiff to manage the stronghold, signifying its importance as a center of regional governance.

In 1466, Count Hugo von Werdenberg sold the castle to Sigmund of Austria. However, Sigmund faced difficulties in securing the loyalty of the local inhabitants. After a few years, in 1471, he sold Belfort to Ulrich von Matsch. The complex ownership situation shifted again in 1477 when the Austrian Duke repurchased the castle, further complicating relationships with the local population.

From 1441 onwards, the Beeli family from nearby Davos acted as bailiffs at Belfort. They were responsible for collecting rents and exercising judicial authority on behalf of the ruling powers. In recognition of his position, Niklaus Beeli was temporarily granted lordship rights by Austria in 1486.

During the Swabian War of 1499, the local inhabitants deliberately set fire to Belfort Castle. This strategic destruction aimed to prevent the Austrian forces from using the site as a military stronghold. Despite urgent appeals from bailiff Nikolaus Beeli to spare the castle, it was left in ruins. Charred remains, such as blackened window beams, still bear witness to this event.

Efforts to preserve the site began in the 20th century, with stabilization work carried out in 1935 and 1936. Although these interventions prevented further collapse, they inadvertently disturbed archaeological layers. A more extensive restoration took place between 2002 and 2007, led by the association Pro Ruine Belfort, which focused on conserving the remaining structures and facilitating careful study of the ruins.

Remains

Belfort Castle is situated atop a steep rocky ridge east of the village of Brienz/Brinzauls. The site is divided into two primary sections: an upper castle and a lower castle, connected by a steep staircase that has been carved directly into the rock. This division reflects its complex defensive design adapting to the natural terrain.

The upper castle features a roughly pentagonal layout centered on a courtyard. At the heart of this courtyard lies a round cistern, carefully carved about five meters deep into the living rock, providing a vital water source for the inhabitants. Along the northern side stand the original gatehouse and the main tower, marking the principal entrance and defensive position.

The main tower, or bergfried, rises approximately 20 meters high and is constructed with formidable walls up to 2.3 meters thick. Its sturdy square shape would have made it a formidable refuge. Originally, the top of the tower included a crenellated parapet—an open battlement typical of medieval fortifications—but this was later sealed when an extra story was added. The tower likely featured a simple shed roof sloping to the south.

Inside, the upper two floors served as living quarters, as indicated by multiple windows that allowed light and ventilation, and a latrine oriel—a projecting bay that provided sanitation facilities. The entrance to the top floor was positioned relatively high on the tower’s southern side, a common defensive feature to hinder attackers.

North of the tower, a large five-story residential wing extends from the main structure. Archaeological evidence of beam holes reveals multiple rooms arranged vertically within this wing. A door on the ground floor at the northern end, once a primary access point, was later sealed with bricks. Access to the tower’s interior rooms was achieved through external stairways leading from the courtyard.

On the southern side of the upper castle, a substantial building underwent repeated reconstruction. It includes a vaulted passage at ground level originally roofed with tuff stone, an igneous rock known for its strength and fire resistance. This passage once led through a gate that connected the upper and lower castles; the gate itself no longer survives. After a fire around 1468, this southern residential structure, known as the palas, was raised by two additional stories, significantly expanding its capacity.

Inside the palas, walls were plastered for protection and aesthetics, and windows provided light to the rooms. This building also contained a latrine oriel and fireplaces, attesting to its function as a comfortable living space. The top floor featured a large, continuous hall measuring roughly 20 by 8 meters, which may have served as a gathering or ceremonial chamber.

The lower castle lies to the south of the upper castle’s southern wing. Its interior space is largely filled with debris from the collapse of the southern facade. Interestingly, the defensive wall of the lower castle does not connect directly to the curtain wall of the upper castle; instead, it tapers into the rock face. This architectural detail suggests a reduction in the lower castle’s military importance following expansions to the southern wing of the upper castle.

Modern preservation efforts included the installation of metal staircases between 2002 and 2007 to improve access across the site. The main tower itself cannot be entered through normal doorways; instead, visitors must crawl through a narrow opening at its base to gain entry, although the tower is visible from above using the stairways installed during restoration.

Together, these remains illustrate a site that evolved over several centuries, blending defensive, residential, and administrative functions while adapting to natural and political changes in its environment.