Schloss Vaduz

Schloss Vaduz (German for "Vaduz Castle") is the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. The Palace is named after the town Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, which it overlooks from an adjacent hilltop.

The earliest mention of the castle can be found in the deed of the Count Rudolf von Werdenberg-Sargans for a sale to Ulrich von Matsch. The then owners - presumably also the builders - were the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans.

The Bergfried (12th century) and parts of the east-side are the oldest. The tower stands upon a piece of ground of about 12 x 13 m and has a wall density on the ground floor of up to 4 metres. The original entrance lay at the Hofzijde at an 11 meter height. The chapel St. Anna was presumably built in the Middle Ages as well. The main altar is late-gothic. In the Schwabenwar of 1499 the castle burned by the honorbound of Switzerland. The west-side was expanded on by Count Kaspar van Hohenems (1613-1640).

Since 1712 the castle is property of the royals of Liechtenstein. Under the rule of Johannes II (1840-1929) the castle was restored from 1905 to 192. It was later expanded to use as a home by Franz Joseph II (1906-1989).

Since 1938 the castle is the primary residence of the Royal Family. The castle can not be visited by tourists.