This week, I returned home from a very enjoyable trip to Switzerland, which is, perhaps, the crown of contemporary Europe. It could be easily argued that this nation is at the ‘top of the league’ so to speak, in ‘functioning societies’. The UK, where I have returned to, simply cannot compete in areas such as infrastructure, public transport, community management and political diplomacy (as some examples).
The area surrounding Zurich and her lake (as indeed across all of Switzerland) is a zone where many excellent historical locations can be visited – the town of Rappersville – I’d most certainly recommend. Unfortunately, the castle there was closed for renovation when I arrived, however, this gave me a great reason to go back as soon as possible!
Anyhow, I would like to share with the readers of The History Scrutineer some photos taken in and around the Laufen Castle, which overlooks both the famous town of Schaffhausen (where the Swiss watch brand IWC is based) and the impressive Rhine Falls – Europe’s largest waterfalls.
Most unexpectedly, there was absolutely no information in any language nor from anyone in the castle – about the castle… and there is a pitiful amount online as well! I am forced to share this following excerpt from Wikipedia (as this is all one can really find on the castle):
Laufen Castle (German: Schloss Laufen) is a castle in the municipality of Laufen-Uhwiesen in the Swiss Canton of Zurich. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance overlooking the Rhine Falls.
The first documented reference to the castle dates to the year 858 when it was the home of the Barons of Laufen. It passed through several owners until the Old Zurich War (1439-1450) when the castle was acquired by the Fulach family, from whom the city of Zurich bought the castle in 1544. Following the Helvetic Republic (1798 – 1803) the castle was once again in private ownership, with the city of Zurich reacquiring the castle by buying it again in 1941.
The castle now serves as a tourist attraction, and contains a restaurant and a youth hostel. Between 2009 and 2010 a project was undertaken to restore and expand the facilities, including a visitors’ centre situated in the former staff quarters, an exhibition in the northern part of the castle, and a wheelchair-accessible circular walkway with glass lift between castle and river levels. Laufen is overlooking Worth Castle, on the opposite side of the Rhein river, in the Canton of Schaffhausen.
The Rheinfall railway line passes through a tunnel under the castle, halting at the Schloss Laufen am Rheinfall railway station to the south of the tunnel and beneath the castle walls. The station is linked to the castle by a walkway.
End of Wikipedia excerpt.
I can mention that the forests and river surrounding the castle are home to much wildlife, from pike and zander (freshwater predatory fish) to birds of prey species as exciting as red kites (exciting for ornithologists and birdwatching enthusiasts, that is).
For those travelling to the Swiss capital, The History Scrutineer would definitely recommend a trip to this location, on the grounds that the Laufen Castle is in stunning condition, with its proud Central European/Germanic architecture being something any historian could appreciate, as well as the fine views, Mother Nature provides there.
Ben Anson.
The History Scrutineer.
The History Scrutineer 
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