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Burgen in Appenzell
Ein historischer Überblick und Berichte zu den archäologischen Ausgrabungen auf Schönenbüel und Clanx
The Appenzell landscape probably began to be settled in the 7th/8th centuries. Early written evidence initially focused on the hinterland (known to have been settled from the 9th century) and, from the time of high medieval settlement expansion, on the Appenzell basin (furnishing of the church in 1071); the Mittelland and Vorderland districts were not mentioned until later.
Archaeologically examined in 2001, Schönenbüel Castle, presumed to have been the seat of the Lords of Schönenbüel mentioned in the records, is located on Hirschberg hill east of Appenzell. The circular “motte castle” had an overall diameter of approximately 60 m. A possible layer of debris from slash-and-burn land clearance dating from between the 9th and 11th centuries as well as conclusive evidence of the first settlement from the 11th century were found beneath the rampart. The circular fortification was erected sometime in the 12th century.
The ruined castle at Clanx is located north of Appenzell town on a steep mountain peak. Researchers believe that the castle was built by the Lords of Sax between 1207 and 1220. Chronicles mention a siege and the razing of the castle in 1289. Having been rebuilt, it was once again destroyed in 1402 by the people of Appenzell at the beginning of the Appenzell Wars. Clanx remained in ruins and became a symbol of Appenzell’s struggle for independence.
In 1944 and again in 1949 the ruins of Clanx Castle were partially excavated and preserved. The finds and features were later studied as part of a National Science Foundation project. Some of the finds, which were mainly made up of ceramic vessels, stove tiles and metal objects, were attributed to the razing in 1402 and were crucial to the establishment of a classification system for medieval pottery from eastern Switzerland.
