Freudenberg Castle (Ruin) (Bad Ragaz)

The main castle was built in the first half of the 13th century by the Lords of Wildenberg, who sought to expand their possessions down the Rhine. Heinrich von Wildenberg is first mentioned as Lord of Freudenberg in 1253. Through the marriage of his daughter, the castle passed to Count Hugo III of Werdenberg-Heiligenberg in 1320. In 1402, Freudenberg was pledged to the Dukes of Austria, who in 1406 passed it on as collateral to Count Friedrich VII of Toggenburg. After his death in 1436, the castle reverted to Austria. During the Toggenburg succession dispute, Freudenberg was besieged, captured, plundered, and set on fire by troops from Zurich, Chur, and the Grey League on May 26, 1437. Although the Austrians were able to reassert their rights in 1446, the ruin passed to the Confederates in 1460. After 1483, the complex lost its military significance, was abandoned, and gradually fell into disrepair. In the 19th century, the ruin changed hands several times, eventually becoming the property of the Swiss Castles Association. Extensive restorations took place in 1929, and again in 1977 and 1984/85. Since 1985, the complex has belonged to the municipality of Bad Ragaz.

The Freudenberg ruin is located on a rocky hill approximately one kilometer northwest of Bad Ragaz in the Sarganserland district, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland, at an elevation of about 558 meters above sea level.

The Freudenberg ruin is freely accessible and can be visited. Visitors can explore the remains of the keep with its elevated entrance and the foundation walls of a residential wing. The extensive outer bailey with traces of a round tower and an outbuilding is also accessible.

• Ruine Spilberg (Bad Ragaz) (castle), approx. 0.5 km away
• Ruine Wartenstein (Pfäfers) (castle), approx. 2.2 km away
• Schloss Salenegg (Maienfeld) (castle), approx. 2.8 km away
• Schloss Brandis (castle), approx. 2.9 km away