Rotzberg Castle ruin

The Rotzberg Castle ruin is what remains of a medieval spur castle perched at 672 m on a ridge above Ennetmoos in the canton of Nidwalden, Switzerland. Spur castles exploit natural topography for defense — the Rotzberg's steep drop toward the Alpnachersee provided a ready-made fortification that minimized the need for extensive man-made walls. Designated as regional cultural heritage, the ruin traces the medieval feudal history of central Switzerland in the era before the Swiss Confederacy reshaped the region's power structure. Hiking trails through dense forest lead up to the site, where the reward is an open panorama over the Alpnachersee and the surrounding Alpine peaks.