Hugofels Castle (Ruin)

The few remains of Hugofels Castle lie on a wooded ridge above the Great and Small Alpsee lakes near Immenstadt in the Allgäu (Oberallgäu district, Swabia). The fortress, together with the neighboring Rothenfels Castle, formerly formed a large double castle complex.

The hilltop castle on the highest point of the scenic ridge above Immenstadt was probably built in the first half of the 13th century. Its core was a residential tower unique in the German Alpine region, with four small corner roundels (tourelles), which probably goes back to older French or Swiss (Thun) models. The tower was probably originally only an outwork of Rothenfels Castle, located about 170 meters to the southwest. This residence was built at the same time by the Lords of Schellenberg and acquired around 1332 by the Counts of Montfort-Tettnang.

Around 1440, Count Hugo XIII of Montfort settled in the double castle and, after a fire, initiated extensive renovations and extensions from 1462. The cellar of the keep was vaulted and the south wall partially rebuilt. A new access to the residential tower was created here, protected on both sides by loopholes. At that time, however, the castle seems to have been used only as a storehouse. Apparently, people preferred the more comfortable life at Rothenfels Castle, which was located a little lower.

Allegedly, both castles were unsuccessfully besieged by the rebels in 1525 during the German Peasants' War. Of historical significance for castles is the tradition that Count Wolfgang of Montfort entrenched himself with his servants in the residential tower for about 20 weeks during the siege. Since the end of the 20th century, some researchers have questioned the function of such strong residential towers (keeps) and bergfrieds as places of retreat during sieges.

In 1560, only a watchman lived in the large main tower.

When the Lordship of Rothenberg was acquired by the Counts of Königsegg-Aulendorf in 1567, the double castle began to fall into disrepair. The new lords of the castle resided in the town castle in Immenstadt. Around 1600, the first parts of the castle were demolished, and finally, in 1626, the roof truss was removed.

In 1875, the castle became the property of the city of Immenstadt. From 1932 to 1939, the cellar vault was excavated, and the small tank cistern in the northeast corner of the tower was discovered.

In 1994, a structural investigation of the ruin remains was carried out. As part of the development of the "Allgäu Castle Region," the masonry was cleared of its sometimes dense vegetation, a modern information board was erected in the castle area, and the access path was renovated. Since then, the prohibition sign at the castle entrance, which still forbade entry to the castle site in 2007, has disappeared.

The ruin is in a desolate state. The preserved cellar vault is only accessible via a round light or ventilation shaft in the ceiling vault (closed).