Schwanau Castle (Ruin) (Lauerz)

Archaeological findings suggest the island was settled as early as 3200 BC. Originally, the island belonged to the Counts of Lenzburg before passing to the Kyburgs around 1173. Around 1273, the Habsburgs took control. The oldest part of the keep, likely built between 1200 and 1240, dates back to the Kyburg period. The complex included a curtain wall enclosing a residential building. As early as around 1250, the castle was destroyed by fire and not rebuilt thereafter. In the Middle Ages, the island was mentioned as "Swandowe" in the White Book of Sarnen. In 1684, the hermit Johann Linder inhabited the island, and in the same year, the Chapel of St. Johann was built, which was later devastated during the French occupation. A tidal wave following the Goldau landslide in 1806 completely destroyed the remaining structures. In 1809, General Ludwig Auf der Maur acquired the island from the parish of Schwyz, committing to rebuild the chapel and maintain the ruin. In 1967, the island reverted to the Canton of Schwyz.

The Schwanau ruin is located on an island in Lake Lauerz, belonging to the municipality of Lauerz in the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, at an elevation of approximately 459 m above sea level.

The Schwanau ruin is now accessible to visitors. In addition to the castle ruin and the chapel, there is also an inn on the island. The ruin can be visited.

• Ital Reding Haus (Schwyz) (manor house and estate), approx. 4.6 km away
• Schloss Beroldingen (Seelisberg) (castle), approx. 8.8 km away
• Ruine Gesslerburg (Küssnacht) (castle), approx. 12.6 km away
• Schloss Rudenz (Flüelen) (castle), approx. 14.7 km away