Castle ruin Belfort

The fortress serves as a new, noble ancestral seat for the Barons of Vaz. This noble family eventually becomes increasingly powerful, even competing with the bishops of Chur. Soon, the Barons of Vaz began expanding their new castle: the south wing was raised and a large, impressive rectangular hall was added. The Vaz family resided at Belfort for a good century, then the noble line died out. The castle then passed through various hands before coming into the possession of Habsburg Austria – and was destroyed by the people of Graubünden in 1499. Today, new life is flourishing in the ruins, which are located on the Brienz/Brienzauls cultural trail: various herbs grow in a carefully tended garden. The garden and the castle can be explored on guided tours or independently.