The Hünenberg knights left more than a footprint

An archaeological reworking of the ruins of Hünenberg Castle tells the exciting story of the life of nobles between the 13th and 15th centuries.

At the moment, there are more books with a connection to Zug coming into the book trade than for a long time. Opulent photos from interesting perspectives can be bought, as well as works on industrial history, a different kind of contemporary pictures, the Zug New Year's Gazette (Zuger Neujahrsblatt), the Tugium – and now a book that deals in detail with Hünenberg Castle (Burg Hünenberg).

The author of the scientific work entitled "Burgruine Hünenberg in the canton of Zug" is Gabi Meier Mohamed. The researcher’s name alone vouches for the book: numerous specialist authors have supported the Zug archaeologist with contributions. Meier works in the Office for the Preservation of Monuments and Archaeology (Amt für Denkmalpflege und Archäologie), which in turn is attached to the Directorate of the Interior of the Canton of Zug.

This in-depth view of the Hünenberg Castle is the first of its kind about the feudal building in Ennetsee. It has a fascinating history, and is at the same time an open book. This is because scientists have studied various finds in great detail. With the help of mortar samples, it was also possible to trace the building history of the castle ruins (Burgruine) in Hünenberg. It is located southwest of the centre of Hünenberg. People who are on their way from Hünenberg towards the Zollhaus and Sins may not be aware that they are driving past a historical site.

Strong position of the Lords of Hünenberg
As can be seen from the Historical Lexicon of Switzerland, the Lords of Hünenberg were the builders of the castle, which is now only preserved as a ruin. In the 13th and 14th centuries, as the fief holders of the Lords of Rüssegg, as well as the Habsburgs in the area of the Reuss Valley, which was fragmented in terms of ownership, these noblemen had a strong position. The von Hünenberg family divided their rule into three parts at the beginning of the 14th century. One inhabited the Wildenburg, the other was at home at St.Andreas, and the third owned the castle in Hünenberg. The new book by Gabi Meier Mohamed focuses on the history of the latter.

It is also possible to use finds to find out what the Lords of Hünenberg ate in their headquarters. And history can also be told with the help of a piece of leather that was once part of a shoe. As the Directorate of the Interior of the Canton of Zug continues to write, the scientists had taken samples of mortar and soil for the first time in order to determine the individual phases of the construction of castle. With the help of the data thus obtained, Gabi Meier Mohamed was able to trace the origins of the various construction activities on the castle mound.

Photo 1: This is how the ruins of Hünenberg Castle look today
                                Picture: Maria Schmid, Hünenberg, December 7, 2020)
Photo 2: Author Gabi Meier Mohamed, research assistant at the Office of Heritage and Archaeology, presents a 14th-century oven tile depicting a mythical creature
                                Res Eichenberger
Photo 3: Illustration of the first construction phase of the castle from the second quarter of the 12th century. Almost all the elements in the picture are scientifically proven
                                Picture: Eva Kläui and Salvatore Pungitore

Different construction phases could be determined. The magnificent noble residence with a stately residential and gate building was transformed into a knight's castle with an imposing castle tower. The experts have recorded these findings in drawings in the book. Archaeologist Gabi Meier Mohamed says:

"Hünenberg Castle is an example of how demanding it is to preserve a ruin has been restored several times, and how profitable archaeological investigations of a castle ruin can be that has supposedly already been completely excavated."

Under monument protection since 1955
What is Meier talking about here? Hünenberg Castle was excavated by an amateur archaeologist after the Second World War, and many things were irretrievably destroyed. The ruins of Hünenberg Castle have been under cantonal monument protection since 1955 and it has also been under federal monument protection since 1962. The ruins have subsequently undergone various renovations. The one between 2007 and 2009 also formed the basis for the now published work "Burgruine Hünenberg im Kanton Zug".

As can be seen from the "Zug Coat of Arms Book" from 1974, the Lords of Hünenberg disappeared from the history of Zug in 1415. In this year, they sold the last parts of their property to local people. The Hünenberg family was first mentioned in 1173.

Thanks to the latest research around Hünenberg Castle, we now know what the inhabitants ate and how they spent their free time. It is also stated that the place served as a burial place around the year 600 AD.

Note
Gabi Meier Mohamed, "Burgruine Hünenberg im Kanton Zug - Archaeology, Geschichte und vom Geräusch rollender Steine (History and the Sound of Rolling Stones)", Volume 48 of the Swiss Contributions to Cultural History and Archaeology of the Middle Ages, Publisher: Schweizer Burgenverein, Available from bookstores in Zug and the Swiss Burgenverein (www.burgenverein.chwww.burgenverein.ch).