Burg Hohenbregenz castle is the ruins of a hilltop castle from the High Middle Ages near Bregenz
These castle ruins are located southeast of Bregenz on the 598 m Gebhardsberg mountain, which is a popular destination for excursions because of its sweeping views of Lake Constance. The castle was built in the last quarter of the 11th century (before 1097) by the Counts of Bregenz (Ulriche). It is first mentioned in an official document in 1209. In 1143, the castle passed to the Counts of Pfullendorf, but only remained in their possession for a short time. Only a few years later (1170) it was transferred to Count Palatine Hugo of Tübingen (father of Hugo I, Count of Montfort). The upper part of the castle was sold in 1451 and then in 1523 the lower part to the Habsburgs, who made the castle the seat of Austrian bailiffs. At the beginning of the 17th century, the castle was expanded into a fortress. In 1647, towards the end of the Thirty Years' War, Swedish troops were able to capture it without a fight. They blew up the fortress the same year by detonating five mines (see Naval War on Lake Constance 1632-1648). Of the medieval components, only the ring wall of the stronghold and parts of the palace remain. In the former palace of the castle, a pilgrimage church of St. Gebhard was built in 1723, which gives the mountain its name.
Today, the castle with its rooms and the castle courtyard serve as a restaurant. A unique wine cellar is located in the 10th century water tower. The castle courtyard with chapel is often booked as an attractive location for weddings, birthday parties and company celebrations.
