Remember a time long ago. A time of knights and castles. Here at the Kybfelsen, you’re standing on a place steeped in history.
The Kybfelsen’s story dates back to the late 11th or early 12th century. This was during the Zähringer rule in Breisgau. Imagine a fortified place here. Archaeological finds confirm this.
The name “Kyburg” first appeared in 1484. It was in the Weistum of Kappel. Matthias von Neuenburg mentioned a castle on the Kybfelsen in his chronicle. That was in the mid-14th century.
The Kybfelsen offered a strategic location. It is situated on a mountain ridge. It lies between Günterstal and Kappel. The castle stood at 820.8 meters above sea level. This gave it a wide panoramic view. You can see from the Feldberg to the Schönberg. To the south you can see the Schauinsland. The view extends into the Kappler Tal and the Breisgau Bay.
The castle consisted of two rocks. A narrow mountain ridge connected them. The structure extended about 70 meters from north to south. Its maximum width was 30 meters. A broad wall protected the southern access side. Today, only small remains of it are visible. An “East Building” bordered the east side. No evidence of this remains today.
The western side had a long wall section. This was clearly visible in the 1920s. Now it has completely decayed. The natural rockfall probably served as protection on the east side. There is no evidence of an eastern wall.
Traces of an 8-meter-wide tower stump can be seen on the northern rock head. The walls are up to 2 meters thick. A 12-meter-deep and 3.5-meter-wide natural crevice lies in front of it. It features an artificially hewn sole. This served as a neck ditch.
The castle’s existence was short-lived. Historians believe it ended in the first half of the 13th century. The exact founding time and owners remain unknown. A connection to the Counts of Kyburg is questionable. Their main power base was in northern and eastern Switzerland.
Today, the Kybfelsen is a popular destination. It provides a fantastic view.
After exploring the Kybfelsen, consider visiting the Gasthaus Kybfelsen. It is located in Günterstal. This traditional inn is named after this very spot. Here you can relax in the chestnut garden.
As you stand here, remember those who came before. They built and lived on this historic site. The Kybfelsen remains a silent witness to their time.