Pfauenmoos Castle (Berg)

As early as 1400, the already existing estate was owned by various large St. Gallen families. In 1525, Dorothea Grüblin sold the estate, the vineyards, and all appurtenances to the treasurer Leonhard Zollikofer (1494-1544), a St. Gallen cashier. From his brother, the estate passed in 1564 to Leonhard's nephew, also named Leonhard Zollikofer, who was the first owner and founder of the Fideikommiss of Altenklingen. Until his death in 1587, Leonhard Zollikofer retained the Pfauenmoos vineyard, which served him as a manor house, and the lordship of Altenklingen, over which he held jurisdictional rights. After rounding off his property by purchasing neighboring lands, he placed it in Fideikommiss in favor of the elder (senior) for each coming generation. The provision was only abolished in 1839, and the area was sold in favor of the family property of Altenklingen. During the following ten years, the estate belonged to Jakob Benedikt Germann. Thereafter, in 1849, ownership changed to Baron Cornelius von Heyl zu Herrnsheim of Worms, who in turn made the estate a family foundation, which includes Klein Hahnberg in Berg.

It is assumed that the core of the rural residence dates back to 1564. As for the current building, it mainly originated in the 18th century. Renovations took place in 1760-1762 and a refurbishment in 1812.