Marmels Castle
| Marmels Castle | |
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| Marmorera | |
The ruins of Marmels Castle
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 Marmels Castle
Marmels Castle
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| Coordinates | 46°30′24″N 9°37′18.25″E / 46.50667°N 9.6217361°ECoordinates: 46°30′24″N 9°37′18.25″E / 46.50667°N 9.6217361°E |
| Type | Cave Castle |
| Code | CH-GR |
| Height | 1,710 m above the sea |
| Site information | |
| Condition | ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | around 1100 |
| Materials | rubble stone |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Ministerialis |
Marmels Castle German: Burg Marmels is a ruined castle in the municipality of Marmorera in the district of Albula in the canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
The ruins of the Grottenburg (a castle built into a naturally occurring cave) Marmels are located on two rocky points high above the embankment dam that formed the Lai da Marmorera near the municipality of Marmorera. The entrance to the ruins is along a path that starts near the dam and then climbs steeply through the woods. The path may require an experienced climber and in wet weather may be inaccessible.
On the lowest level, there are portions of two sections of the curtain wall which follow the edge of the cliff. Additionally, traces of an overhanging platform and the outer gatehouse can still be seen. The three-story, square keep is located on the southern terrace and rested against the surrounding rock, as can be seen in the sketch from 1893. Only the foundation of the towers of the keep are still visible. The keep had a door and half-round tower on the ground floor as well as another entrance on the next level. These entrances are no longer visible in the foundation. The type and shape of the roof is not known. In the southern wall there was a door that led to a fourth story arbor.
A steep path along the rear wall of the grotto leads to the upper level of the castle site. It is clear that there were additional buildings, however, the exact nature or size is not known.
The two story chapel is still standing. The lighter plaster that it was covered with, makes it stand out against the rock wall. The half-round apse is built into the eastern wall. The plaster is still in good condition. Both levels of the chapel can be reached from the west side.
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Wikipedia