Burg Dübelstein: A Medieval Castle Near Dübendorf, Switzerland

Visitor Information

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Official Website: waldmannmuseum.ch

Country: Switzerland

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Burg Dübelstein is situated near the town of Dübendorf in Switzerland. It was built by local feudal families in the medieval period to oversee and control the surrounding lands.

The first recorded mention of the castle dates back to 1130, connected to the Lords of Dübendorf. These nobles were entrusted with the administration of the area during the 13th century. The castle itself was constructed before 1257, a date confirmed by references to Konrad von Dübelstein, a family member who adopted the name linked to the castle. The Lords of Dübelstein governed the site until their line ceased around 1314. Ownership then passed to the Lords of Hofstetten who held it until 1402. Afterward, the castle changed hands multiple times, reflecting the shifting local power dynamics.

In 1444, during the Old Zürich War, the castle was surrendered without resistance to the forces from Schwyz. This strategic choice aimed to protect the garrison from harm. Despite the bloodless handover, the invading troops caused significant damage to the castle. It was quickly restored afterward. Later, in 1487, Hans Waldmann, the mayor of Zürich at the time, acquired the castle and its surrounding lordship from the Werdenberg family. However, following Waldmann’s execution in 1489, the castle faced renewed plundering and destruction. The city of Zürich seized it subsequently.

Between 1489 and 1496, Rudolf Escher, another mayor of Zürich, directed repairs to make the castle suitable for residence once more. A major fire occurred on May 27, 1611, when a servant’s attempt to dry flax resulted in an accidental blaze. The damage was extensive, but the main tower, known as a bergfried, remained largely intact and habitable. Over the course of the seventeenth century, the castle was ultimately abandoned. Its stones were quarried for building materials in the area.

In 1889, to mark 400 years since Hans Waldmann’s death, the site was purchased by a committee dedicated to commemorating him, which established a memorial there. Two years later, the ruins were given to the city of Zürich. Archaeological excavations and conservation works took place between 1942 and 1943 to preserve what remained. In 1998, the protected ruins were symbolically sold to the Pro Waldmannsburg association to support ongoing care and remembrance.

Remains

The castle occupies a hillside position on the northern slope of the Adlisberg near Dübendorf, offering commanding views from an elevation of 506 meters. At its core, the fortress was defined by a massive bergfried, or main tower, built to serve as a strong defensive structure and last refuge in times of attack. The tower’s walls measured up to three meters in thickness, demonstrating considerable fortification for the period.

Today, the most visible remains include the foundation of this central tower, which continues to mark the site. Despite centuries of damage and partial destruction, the tower survived the catastrophic fire of 1611 well enough to remain habitable for some time afterward. Over the years, stone from the castle was taken for other uses, yet the bergfried’s base endures as a testament to the original construction.

Historical images such as the 1489 armorial by Gerold Edlibach and an 1836 reconstruction by L. Schulthess illustrate the castle’s arrangement and condition at different points in history, helping to contextualize the ruins observed today. Excavations during the 1940s focused on preserving these features and stabilizing the structure to prevent further deterioration. The site does not contain inscriptions or decorative elements documented in records, but its enduring silhouette continues to anchor the memory of medieval fortification on this hillside.