Ruine Neu-Schellenberg

High on a hill overlooking the village of Neu-Schellenberg stand the imposing ruins of Ruine Neu-Schellenberg. Can you feel the whispers of history swirling around these ancient stones? Ruine Neu-Schellenberg, also known as Obere Burg, meaning “Upper Castle,” offers a glimpse into Liechtenstein’s medieval past. This castle, the larger of two ruins in Schellenberg, has witnessed centuries of history unfold. Its story begins around 1200 when its construction was completed. The first written record of Ruine Neu-Schellenberg appears in 1348, marking its official entry into the historical narrative. Imagine knights patrolling the ramparts, their armor gleaming in the sun. Picture bustling kitchens preparing feasts for the castle’s inhabitants. Life within these walls continued until the 16th century. For reasons lost to time, Ruine Neu-Schellenberg was abandoned. It gradually transitioned from a vibrant hub of activity to a silent sentinel of the past. Over the centuries, nature slowly reclaimed the castle. Vegetation crept over the walls, and the stones began to crumble. By the mid-20th century, Ruine Neu-Schellenberg was heavily overgrown, a sleeping giant waiting to be awakened. In 1956, Prince Franz Joseph II gifted the ruins to the Historical Association of the Principality of Liechtenstein. This marked a turning point for Ruine Neu-Schellenberg. The association has since worked tirelessly to research, preserve, and maintain this important historical site. Today, visitors can explore the ruins, tracing the outlines of former rooms and imagining the lives lived within these walls. Ruine Neu-Schellenberg stands as a testament to Liechtenstein’s rich history, a place where the echoes of the past resonate with the present.