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Obere Burg today

Liechtenstein · Ruin

Obere Burg

Ruine Neu-Schellenberg

Obere Burg (Upper Castle or Burg Neu‑Schellenberg) is a medieval castle ruin above the village of Neu‑Schellenberg in the municipality of Schellenberg, Liechtenstein. Built around 1200 and first recorded in 1348, it was occupied until roughly the 16th century and is now a publicly accessible ruin cared for by the Historical Association of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1348

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1348

What Obere Burg looked like in its prime.

Sited at the western edge of Hinterschloss in Neu‑Schellenberg, Obere Burg at its prime (1348) read as a compact medieval stone stronghold. Continuous grey limestone curtain walls enclosed a central open courtyard with contiguous timber‑roofed domestic ranges and service buildings; roofs were steeply pitched and chimneys punctuated the skyline. The castle presented a low, robust silhouette above the village with intact masonry, rooflines and a defined entrance from the village lane.

Its story

The story of Obere Burg.

Obere Burg, the "Upper Castle", known colloquially as Burg Neu-Schellenberg, stands at the western edge of Hinterschloss in the village of Neu-Schellenberg, one of five castles in Liechtenstein and one of the three that survive as ruins. Built around 1200 and first recorded in 1348, it was inhabited until roughly the 16th century, when it was abandoned and ceased to serve as a residence.

The ruin is freely open to visitors, and its closeness to Hinterschloss makes it probably the most easily reached of Liechtenstein's castles. It is cared for by the Historical Association of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Step inside

2 places to explore in 1348.

The record describes 2 distinct spots at Obere Burg, including 1 interior: central courtyard and domestic ranges (interior). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from Hinterschloss lane (exterior)Central courtyard and domestic ranges (interior)

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The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1348, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Questions about Obere Burg

What is the history of Obere Burg?

Obere Burg was built around 1200 and first recorded in 1348. It was inhabited until roughly the 16th century, then abandoned and ceased to serve as a residence. During the Appenzell Wars, the castle was burned in 1405 but later restored. It became a ruin after losing its military purpose in the following centuries.

What is inside Obere Burg?

Inside Obere Burg, the central complex had an inner and an outer courtyard, a keep, two residential buildings and a gallery around the inner courtyard. The western residential range probably contained the palas, while the outer courtyard held service buildings and servants’ quarters. A cistern stood in the northern corner.

Who owns Obere Burg now?

Obere Burg is owned and cared for by the Historical Association of the Principality of Liechtenstein. Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein, handed the heavily overgrown ruin to the association in 1956. The association oversees its research, upkeep and preservation.

Where is Obere Burg?

Obere Burg is located at the western edge of Hinterschloss in Neu-Schellenberg, within the municipality of Schellenberg. The ruin stands on the Eschnerberg at approximately 670 metres above sea level. It is one of two castle ruins in the municipality.

When was Obere Burg built?

Obere Burg was built around 1200. Its first appearance in written records was on 10 January 1348. The castle was developed in later building phases, including changes to the inner courtyard and the entrance to the core castle.

Was Obere Burg ever attacked or besieged?

Obere Burg was attacked and burned in 1405 during the Appenzell Wars. It was subsequently restored, so the attack did not permanently destroy the castle. Later abandonment in the early 16th century led to its decline into a ruin.

What did Obere Burg look like in its prime?

At its prime, Obere Burg was a compact medieval stone stronghold with continuous grey limestone curtain walls. These enclosed a central open courtyard and timber-roofed domestic and service ranges. Steeply pitched roofs and chimneys marked its low, robust silhouette above the village, with a defined entrance from the village lane.

Is Obere Burg still standing or is it a ruin?

Obere Burg is a ruin today. The surviving remains include parts of the core castle, conserved sections of a dry-stone wall and zwinger, and some ancillary buildings. The ruin was excavated and conserved between 1960 and 1964.

Can you visit Obere Burg?

Obere Burg can be visited because it is freely open to the public. The ruin lies close to Hinterschloss and is described as probably the most easily accessible of Liechtenstein’s castles. It is cared for by the Historical Association of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

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