Jörgenberg Castle/Casti Munt Sogn Gieri, Waltensburg

Jörgenberg is the largest castle complex in the Surselva. The walled castle grounds, not including the moat, cover an area of around 100 by 70 meters. The complex is divided into a main castle, which extends over the plateau of the rocky spur, and an outer castle, which comprises a walled area on the hillside terrace to the south. The entrance rises from the bottom of the moat towards the outer gate, which was constructed like a traverse between the main castle and the outer bailey.

The outer bailey can be reached through a separate opening in the wall in front of the outer gate. The main castle is completely surrounded by an enclosing wall. The overall development on the periphery of the site is divided into four building complexes: Sacred area with the church of St. George, high medieval feudal residential and defensive area, high and late medieval administrative and representative wing and the economic wing.

The church of St. George, which is located opposite the nave, dates back to the Old Carolingian period. The church was rebuilt and extended around 1100. A bell from 1484 hung in the tower of Waltensburg church from 1562. In the south-western corner of the site is a well-preserved tower with five storeys. The living quarters are located on the 4th and 5th floors.

In the north-western corner of the main castle grounds, there are the remains of four houses of different sizes, the oldest of which is located directly in the corner of the hill. They have entrances at ground level. These houses probably housed the manorial offices. In the narrow north-western part of the site, there are sparse remains of two almost rectangular buildings, which probably housed stables or storage rooms.

At the beginning of the 14th century, the castle belonged to the Lords of Friberg. After the Fribergs died out around 1330, the castle came into the possession of the Rhäzüns family.

Jörgenberg was thus the actual administrative center for the Rhäzünser estates in the Surselva. Interest from Lugnez, Rueun and Alp Runaschg had to be delivered there. On June 6, 1462, the people of Rhäzüns sold the estate to Disentis Abbey. In 1580, Jörgenberg was sold to L. Gandreya, who is said to have still lived in the castle. The structural decline of the castle began in the 16th and 17th centuries.

On the way back, approx. 600 meters southwest of the castle ruins, it is worth taking a detour along the path “to the gallows”. The two stone pillars of a former gallows bear witness to the witch hunts and executions of the 17th century.

(Text recorded by: Regiun Surselva)