Vorarlberg

Castles and heritage sites in Vorarlberg

This collection highlights the fortified history of Vorarlberg and the neighboring Schellenberg ridge. It spans from well-preserved landmarks like the 12th-century Schattenburg, which houses a regional museum, to the expansive ruins of Alt-Ems, once one of the largest castle complexes in Central Europe. These sites showcase medieval hilltop architecture and the territorial heritage of the Counts of Montfort and the Lords of Ems across the Rhine Valley.

Thyes / Public domain

Burg Hohenbregenz

Ruins of a high medieval hilltop castle near Bregenz, also known as Gebhardsberg. The site features a 17th-century pilgrimage church and offers views over Lake Constance and the Rhine Valley.

Schlaier / CC BY 3.0

Schattenburg Castle

Schattenburg is a castle, museum and restaurant in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg. Schattenburg is 480 metres above sea level..

böhringer friedrich / CC BY-SA 2.5

Schloss Wolfurt

The ancestral seat of the Lords of Wolfurt, this castle was rebuilt in the 15th century following a fire. It remains a prominent example of late medieval aristocratic architecture in the Bregenz district.

SchuetzeZH / CC BY-SA 4.0

Obere Burg

Obere Burg, also known colloquially as Burg Neu-Schellenberg, is a castle ruin located in the municipality of Schellenberg, Liechtenstein.

SchuetzeZH / CC BY-SA 4.0

Untere Burg

Untere Burg, also known colloquially as Burg Alt-Schellenberg, is a castle ruin located in the municipality of Schellenberg, Liechtenstein.

GKoe / CC BY-SA 4.0

Neu-Ems Castle

Neu-Ems Castle is a medieval castle in Hohenems in the province of Vorarlberg, Austria.

message / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

Schloss Amberg

A late 15th-century castle built by Emperor Maximilian I. Located on a hill in the Levis district of Feldkirch, the structure serves as a venue for events and private functions.

böhringer friedrich / CC BY-SA 2.5

Burgruine Jagdberg

12th-century hilltop castle ruins featuring a well-preserved curtain wall. It served as the administrative center for the Herrschaft Jagdberg and now hosts an open-air stage in its courtyard.

ZombieLetsPlay / Public domain

Burgruine Alt-Ems

Once one of Central Europe's largest fortifications, these 12th-century ruins stretch 800 meters along a mountain ridge. It was the primary stronghold for the powerful Lords of Ems.

böhringer friedrich / CC BY-SA 2.5

Ruine Tosters

A 13th-century hilltop ruin on the Schellenberg ridge. Built by the Counts of Montfort-Feldkirch, it was strategically positioned to monitor the routes through the lower Rhine Valley.

Asurnipal / CC BY-SA 4.0

Burg Rosenegg

Originally a 13th-century fortification near Bürs, this site was largely reconstructed in the late 19th century. It is also historically known as Balme Hohlenegg or Schloss Rosenberg.

Burgruine Neuburg

Ruins of a 12th-century castle situated on a prominent island hill in Koblach. It transitioned from a noble seat to a Habsburg administrative office and prison before its abandonment.

Burgruine Blumenegg

The remains of a 13th-century spur castle that served as the seat of the Lordship of Blumenegg. The fortress was eventually destroyed by multiple fires in the late 18th century.

Burgruine Heidenburg

Medieval castle ruins located near Göfis. The site consists of sparse structural remains from a former defensive fortification.

Burgruine Alt-Hofen

Foundations and wall fragments of a high medieval castle located above Lochau. It was the original seat of the Lords of Hofen before the construction of Schloss Hofen.

Reinhard Müller / CC BY-SA 4.0

Burgruine Alt-Montfort

The 12th-century ancestral seat of the Counts of Montfort. These hilltop ruins are located between Weiler and Fraxern and were abandoned after the counts moved to Schattenburg.