Werdenberg Castle

The present begins 800 years ago. Werdenberg Castle is more than just the historical ancestral seat of the Counts of Werdenberg: it is a testimony to a succession of rulers over the centuries and a cultural venue today, where old and new music can be enjoyed, and where people from far and wide, young and old, can meet in the wonderful rooms within the castle and in the courtyard. 

Town and castle - an ensemble  

The small town of Werdenberg has been continuously inhabited for almost 800 years. Its history is closely linked to the development of the castle which bears its name. Individual stone towers were originally constructed at the foot of the castle hill, which served as storage and defensive structures. Werdenberg first appears in documents as an administrative town, which is when the two streets lined with wooden buildings were built - Werdenberg then became a town! 

Castle museum and Schlangenhaus 

The two museums, one in the castle on the hill and the other in the small town on the little lake, tell the story of the lordship and its subjects. The three key eras - the time of the counts, the Glarus bailiffs and the Hilty family - are vividly illustrated on one floor apiece in the castle. 

Moreover, the Schlangenhaus Museum in the small town traces a broad timeline from the past to the present: from the first signs of settlement to the growing interest in this unique medieval settlement, which is now listed in the ISOS, Switzerland's inventory of sites of national importance worthy of protection. Entertaining introductory shows and shadow plays narrate the cultural and architectural history of the site. Audio plays interweave the two museums, forming a vivid narrative. The bistro in the castle courtyard serves homemade cakes and snacks from regional producers. In the information centre at the entrance to Städtli, you will find souvenirs and products from the region. 

Castle season and Schlossmediale festival 

During the castle season from April 1 to October 31, guided tours of the museums and the town of Werdenberg take place, as well as regional exhibitions and events for all the family. 

Every two years at the end of June, the Schlossmediale takes place over ten days, an international festival for old and new music and audiovisual art, which has been artistically reinterpreting the castle repeatedly since 2012. The programme consists of concerts, performances, sound installations, workshops and temporary exhibitions.