Lütold von Regensberg, V

The barons of Regensberg were in the first half of the 13th century. at the height of their power. Around the family castle Alt-Regensberg am Katzensee they had steadily expanded their rule and founded several castles, towns and monasteries. How strongly the Lägern, the Zurich foothills of the Jura, played a role in the early expansion is unclear. With Mandach , Sünikon , Schrennen and possibly also Alt-LägernThere were several castles in the possession of Regensberg servants. Neu-Regensberg itself was laid out around 1245 by Baron Lütold V, who must have died before 1250. In 1255 there was a large division of inheritance among his sons: While Lütold VI. Alt-Regensberg and the surrounding goods received, Neu-Regensberg fell to his brother Ulrich.

The new castle "Regensperch", mentioned for the first time in January 1250, was apparently from the beginning the seat of power with the adjoining townconceived: a bailiff is mentioned as early as 1248, the first citizens and a chapel in 1255 and a boys' school in 1287. The centerpiece of Neu-Regensberg was the circular keep, which is very untypical for this area - the only remaining structure of the original complex. It has five floors and a 3 meter thick foundation wall. It is assumed that with this architecture Lütold V. took his wife Berta von Neuenburg into consideration, in whose western Swiss homeland round towers corresponded to the style of the time. To the north of the tower, which originally had a pointed roof and a high entrance, was a hall. Both buildings were surrounded by a curtain wall, which also enclosed some economic buildings. The castle gate was on the east side.

During the time of Ulrich's reign, the so-called "Regensberg feud" of 1267/68, the causes and course of which are historically controversial and can no longer be reconstructed. It is certain that the Regensbergers fought a conflict with Count Rudolf von Habsburg , who later became king. Soon after, the family's economic decline began. Knight Ulrich died around 1280 and was in Zurichburied. His grave slab with a beautiful representation of the dead is now in the Swiss National Museum, a replica is at the entrance to the town of Regensberg. Ulrich's son Lütold VIII had to sell goods again and again, and so shortly after 1300 Neu-Regensberg also came to Habsburg Austria. The Regensbergers initially withdrew to Alt-Regensberg, later to Balm Castle near Lotstetten (Baden-Württemberg). As the last secular representative of this once powerful noble family, Lütold IX disappears. after 1331 from the documents.

With the castle and town, the Habsburgs also took over the services of the ministerial families in Regensberg. Heinrich Stühlinger, whose family had lived here for a long time, was their first bailiff from 1302 to 1308. Later this office was held by the gentlemen ofRümlang . But the Dukes of Austria did not show too much interest in the castle and town and pledged the rule several times, including to the barons of Sax and von Landenberg - Greifensee. The city of Zurich was able to take over the rule of Regensberg in 1409 - as an equivalent for the repayment of Habsburg debts in the amount of 7,000 guilders. From 1410 the castle housed an urban bailiff who resided here for six years. In the Old Zurich War Regensberg was besieged by the Confederates and conquered at Whitsun 1443, whereby the Vogt was stabbed to death. Zurich, however, moved troops back to the town the following year. This was destroyed by a major fire in 1540, only the castle was spared. Nevertheless, the old Palas was demolished in 1583 under Landvogt Sixt Vogel and replaced by a new building. Another renovation took place in 1685, and in 1691 a large barn was built in the southern part of the courtyard. The castle was also included in the modern ski jumping facilities, with which the town towards the end of the 17th century. was surrounded. On its northwest side, a castle garden was set up within the ramparts.

The tower of Neu-Regensberg had a pointed roof 11 meters high until 1766. But that summer, lightning struck the old structure and completely destroyed it. The outgoing firefighters were hit by two more lightning bolts - three men were killed. At that time, the tower received its current battlements, and a new connecting bridge to the palace was built. After the Helvetic Revolution of 1798, the last bailiff from Zurich withdrew, and the tower temporarily even served French troops from observation posts. And yet the former castle remained the seat of authorities until 1831. In the 19th century Various buildings were demolished, including the castle gate and the stable barn. In 1883 a children's home was set up in the residential wing, which still exists today as the “Regensberg Castle Foundation”. The old round tower was given ground level access in 1894 and was opened in the 20th century. a popular destination. In 1994/95, on the occasion of the 750th anniversary, a new tower helmet was put on it, but it had to be removed after the preservation authorities objected to it. The tower was thoroughly renovated in 2009, when a small exhibition on the history of the castle and town was set up inside.

http://www.burgenwelt.org/schweiz/neu_regensberg/object.php