Nivagl Castle

The castle was probably the ancestral seat of the powerful Barons of Vaz. Around 1220, however, the barons probably moved to their new Belfort Castle near Brienz/Brienzauls – and left Nivagl Castle lonely above the Schin Gorge. Over the centuries, traces of Nivagl were lost – until archaeological excavations were carried out around 1980. The remains of what had once been eaten at the castle were now revealed: bones of farm animals such as sheep and goats, but also of wild animals such as brown bears, deer and hares. Nivagl was probably not only important to food, but also to good looks and living: this is indicated by archaeological finds such as gilded fittings, remains of chain mail and traces of fresco paintings.