Laufen Castle is located on a rocky elevation near the Rhine Falls in Schaffhausen.
It was first mentioned in 858 when it served as the residence of the Barons of Laufen.
Between 1439 and 1449 the castle was besieged by Zurich troops and in 1450 it was conquered.
In 1544, with the expansion of Zurich’s territories northwards, a city wall and a defensive tower with drawbridge were added to the castle.
Between 1789 and 1798, the French Revolution first and the subsequent invasion by Napoleon, put an end to the feudal system with Zurich.
In 1829, as an increasing number of tourists came to discover the Rhine Falls, the first tavern was built in Laufen.
At the end of the Second World War the castle was completely restored with the addition of paths to the Rhine Falls.
Inside the castle is the exhibition that reveals the development of the region through 1000 years with numerous photographic finds.
