| Gestelnburg | |
|---|---|
| Niedergesteln, Valais, Switzerland | |
 Castle ruins and village Niedergesteln below. | |
  Gestelnburg  Gestelnburg | |
| Coordinates | 46°18′49″N 7°46′59″E / 46.31361°N 7.78306°E |
| Type | Hill castle, rock castle |
| Code | CH |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Ruins |
| Site history | |
| Built | Probably 12th century |
| Materials | Stone masonry |
The ruins of the Gestelnburg castle are situated above the village of Niedergesteln in Valais, Switzerland, on a rocky ridge called Feschti. The castle was probably built during the 12th century by the powerful Barons de la Tour (English: Tower), which are also called in German Herrn vom Turn. The rule of this family ended during the wars against the bishop of Sion in the second half of the 14th century, and the castle was finally destroyed by the Upper Valaisans in 1384. Exactly 600 years later, a project was started to restore the ruins and make them more easily accessible. Behind the castle there is a cave called Feschtiloch, which originates from the last ice age. The Gestelnburg is a Swiss cultural property of national importance.