Grünenstein Castle (Balgach)

The old Grünenstein Castle, whose inhabitants were the nobles of Grünenstein, who played a significant role in the history of Balgach, was demolished in 1776 by the then owner, Armory Master Fridolin Schindler of Mollis, except for the mighty tower, and replaced by today's imposing Baroque building. In 1791, Jakob Laurenz Custer, the son of the builder of the "Reburg" house in Altstätten, who had married a cousin from the Löwenhof in Rheineck and at that time was himself the proprietor of the Löwenhof, acquired the newly built castle. He later secured the summer residence for the family by establishing a fideicommissum.

The massive square tower with the observation terrace in front of the recessed octagonal superstructure with the bell helmet still dominates the overall architectural appearance of the castle today. The two residential wings to the left and right of the tower, whose mansard roof ridge height aligns with the observation terrace, are excellently integrated into the old masonry, considering the building masses.