# Schalun Castle

- **Country:** Liechtenstein
- **Coordinates:** 47.150900, 9.533600
- **Location Text:** (), in Vaduz

Schalun Castle, locally known as Wildschloss or "Castle in the wild," is a historic ruin situated in the mountains approximately one kilometer northeast of Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein. Constructed around the end of the 12th century, the fortress first appeared in written records in 1237 under its current name. As one of only five castles in the principality and one of three that remain in a ruined state, it represents a significant piece of medieval architecture in the region. Although specific architectural styles are not detailed in surviving records, the structure originally featured a grand hall and a keep, which remain the best-preserved sections today alongside scattered artifacts from the medieval and early modern periods.

The historical trajectory of Schalun Castle includes a transition of power and eventual decline. Archaeological evidence suggests the site was likely cleared and burned down at a later point in its history, leaving only fragments of its former glory. By the 18th century, the property had come into the possession of the reigning Prince of Liechtenstein. In 1933, ownership was officially transferred to the Municipality of Vaduz, which maintains the site to this day. The castle's cultural importance was further recognized when it was depicted on a Liechtenstein postage stamp issued in 1937.

Currently, the castle stands as an accessible landmark for visitors interested in history and nature. It is freely open to the public and can be reached on foot or by mountain bike via a local footpath that winds through the scenic landscape above Vaduz. While the structure is no longer inhabited, its remaining walls offer a tangible connection to the area's feudal past. The site serves as both a recreational destination for hikers and a quiet monument to the medieval era, inviting tourists to explore the remnants of a once-strategic stronghold overlooking the capital.

![Photo of Schalun Castle](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Schalun%20Castle.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schalun_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)