Burgruine Strassberg Malix

The castles of Belfort near Brienz and Strassberg near Malix were also destroyed. But how did these castles come into Austrian possession in the first place? Many of these fortresses were built in the High Middle Ages, in the period from 1000 to 1300 AD. Strassberg and Belfort initially belonged to the barons of Vaz. However, this regional ruling dynasty died out in the 14th century. The castle was sold and inherited several times, first to the Counts of Toggenburg, then to the House of Montfort and finally to the powerful Habsburg-Austria.In the so-called Swabian War of 1499, the Habsburgs' position of power in Graubünden was to be broken. Although this was not entirely successful, many castles were destroyed. The ruins of Strassburg were later used as a quarry for building houses. Today the ruins are well secured - and serve as a popular meeting place.