Schloss Tarasp (Chastè Da Tarasp)

Schloss Tarasp, called Chastè da Tarasp in Romansh, is one of the most picturesque castles in Switzerland, standing on a rocky hill above the village of Tarasp in the Lower Engadine, near the Inn River and the spa town of Scuol. Its white walls and towers rise from the wooded slope in a way that seems to belong in a fairy tale, and it can be seen from far along the valley. The castle was first mentioned in the Middle Ages, around the 11th century, as the seat of the Lords of Tarasp, who controlled the valley and its routes. Over the centuries it passed through the hands of different rulers, among them the Habsburgs of Austria, who held it for a long period, before coming to the canton of Graubünden in the early 19th century.

By the end of the 19th century the castle was in a poor state, and in 1900 it was bought by Karl August Lingner, a wealthy industrialist from Dresden who had made a fortune with the mouthwash Odol. Lingner had the castle rebuilt and restored over about sixteen years in a romantic historicist style, with rooms furnished in the manner of earlier periods, painted ceilings, carved woodwork, tiled stoves and a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance details. After his death the castle passed to the Grand Dukes of Hesse, who kept it as a family property for most of the 20th century. In 2016 it was acquired by the Engadine-born artist Not Vital, who has opened it as a place for art and culture while preserving the interiors.

Today the castle can be visited on guided tours that lead through the rooms and explain the history and the unusual story of the building. Tours are held in German and English, and in some cases in other languages, and the schedule and booking rules change from season to season, so check the current programme and reserve in advance if you can. The castle also hosts exhibitions and cultural events, and contemporary art is sometimes shown in the historic rooms, which makes an interesting contrast. From the terraces and walls, there are views of the Lower Engadine, the valley and the surrounding mountains.

The setting adds to the attraction. The hill above the castle is within easy reach of the Lai Nair, the Black Lake, a small forest lake that is a favourite place for a swim in summer, and walking paths connect the castle with the village of Tarasp and the spa town of Scuol. The Lower Engadine is known for its painted and sgraffito houses and its mineral springs, and a visit to the castle can be combined with a stroll through Scuol or Sent.

The castle suits history lovers, architecture fans and families who like castles. Wear comfortable shoes, as the approach is up a steep path, and allow about two hours.