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Switzerland

Zentralschweiz

Schwyz

Küssnacht (SZ)

Gesslerburg Ruins

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Places to see

Castles

Switzerland

Zentralschweiz

Schwyz

Küssnacht (SZ)

Gesslerburg Ruins

Recommended by 27 hikers out of 29

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Location: Küssnacht (SZ), Schwyz, Zentralschweiz, Switzerland

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Best Hikes to Gesslerburg Ruins

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1. View of Lake Lucerne from Rigi – Panorama Trail Seebodenalp loop from Immensee

11.5km

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Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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5.0

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2. Old Town of Küssnacht – Cherry Trees in Schwyz loop from Küssnacht

11.4km

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Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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3. Old Town of Küssnacht – Hohle Gasse and Tell Chapel loop from Immensee

9.58km

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Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Paul

April 26, 2023

Gesslerburg ruins

The "nobles of Küssnach" and the lords of Silenen as lords of the castle

Gesslerburg is the name of the medieval castle in Küssnacht. Like Hohle Gasse in Immensee, it is linked to the legend of Wilhelm Tell. According to the historian Aegidius Tschudi, it is said to have been the seat of Landsvogt Hermann Gessler. The ruins of the Gesslerburg have been owned by the Swiss Confederation since 1908.

The ruins of the hilltop castle are located on a hilltop in the east of the village, above the village stream, which flows from the Seebodenalp into the lake. A path leads up to the Gesslerburg from the Knochenstampfe, a shed by the stream with a water wheel in which fertilizer was once produced.

Despite archaeological investigations, very little is known about the origin and history of the castle complex. There is evidence of a nobleman named Recho from the second half of the 9th century, who donated his possessions in Küssnacht to the Benedictine monastery in Hof Luzern, along with other goods. An early medieval castle probably also belonged to it. The first documented mention dates back to 1263: «in castro nostro Chüssenach».

In 1291, Küssnacht was bought from the monastery by Rudolf I of Habsburg. The lords of the castle, who were employed as bailiffs by the House of Habsburg, appeared as "nobles from Küssnach". Knight Eppo II (1282-1315) demanded taxes, duties and forced labor as a bailiff. In 1302 there was a dispute with the villagers of Küssnacht, Immensee and Haltikon, in which the bailiff is said to have almost died. Around the middle of the 14th century. The castle was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt much larger.

Text / source: Küssnacht District, Seeplatz 2/3, Postfach 176, 6403 Küssnacht am Rigi

kuessnacht.ch/district/sightseeing/ruine_gesslerburg.html/107

Translated by Google •

Martin

February 11, 2023

Gesslerburg is the name of a medieval castle in Küssnacht. Like Hohle Gasse in the same town, it is linked to the legend of Wilhelm Tell. According to the historian Aegidius Tschudi, it is said to have been the seat of Landsvogt Hermann Gessler.

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Katja 🌞

March 25, 2023

The remains of this medieval castle are on a hill east of Küssnacht. What remains are primarily the foundations and a few remains of the wall, which are open to the public. There is also a barbecue area at the foot of the hill.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 570 m

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Friday 26 September

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Max wind speed: 1.0 km/h

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Location: Küssnacht (SZ), Schwyz, Zentralschweiz, Switzerland

Gesslerburg Ruins

1. View of Lake Lucerne from Rigi – Panorama Trail Seebodenalp loop from Immensee

2. Old Town of Küssnacht – Cherry Trees in Schwyz loop from Küssnacht

3. Old Town of Küssnacht – Hohle Gasse and Tell Chapel loop from Immensee

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