Burg Falkenstein

Written documents about the history of the castle are missing. In a document dated 11 December 1338, the castle is mentioned as Valkenstein, in the "Buoch der vestinen" of 1410 Falkenstain. In 1365–1389 Ulrich von Falkenstein is mentioned; whether he was a nobleman is unclear. In the Urbar of Churwalden in 1508 a Falckenstainßwyß and a Falckenstain acker are mentioned. In the catalogue of Bishop Johann VI Flugi von Aspermont (1636–1661) from 1645, Falckenstein and Fackelenstein are mentioned one after the other, although they are the same castle; the name Fackelenstein is a later modification of the original name. At the beginning of the 16th century, Kury Butyg of Facklenstain, settled in Zuttzurs (Zizers), acquired a coat of arms with two torches, even though he was not of noble origin; on 27 September 1518 he is documented as Chuerin Buttig von Zizers. An aristocratic family that named itself after the castle is therefore not verifiable. It is not known when the castle was abandoned. The remains of the wall indicate at least two construction phases. The tower with a floor plan of approx. 12 by 8 m with a wall thickness of 1.9 m belongs to the older part. This is followed by a rectangular palas from 12 to 13.5 m, in places in opus spicatum a vertical wall joint indicates a later construction. In the palace itself, there are no traces of any buildings to be seen. On the north wall there is a narrow notch with an arched niche with a bench and a pouring stone with a spout. In the western demolition of the wall, a door with beam holes can be seen. Below the building, a ring wall follows the edge of the rock. The entrance gate was probably located to the east of the complex, but is buried by the ruins of the palace. The area of the extensive outer bailey below, which is located below, is surrounded by a wall that is barely recognizable; the thickness of the wall varies between 0.75 and 1.05 m. On the mountain side, the area is covered with rubble. In the NW, the base of a gate with the beam channel has been preserved.