"Werdenberg - presented by a lo ..." a Werdenberg Travel Page by loisl

In the middle ages a large part of the Rhine valley between Lake Constance and Sargans was controlled by the Counts of Bregenz (Austria). Hugo I of Montfort, founder of the city of Feldkirch (Austria), was a member of this dynasty. Werdenberg Castle was probably built around 1230 by one of their descentdants, Count Rudolf I of Montfort. From 1259 onwards his sons Hugo I and Hartmann I called themselves Counts of Werdenberg.
The little town at the foot of the fortress is first mentioned in documentary sources in 1289. Its foundation was probably linked to a further fortification of the castle. The inhabitants of Werdenberg received the status of citizens. In 1478 they were given a certain degree of independence, which was proclaimed in the construction of a town hall.
The county of Werdenberg remained in the possession of the Montforts and their heirs until the end of the 15th century. There was a quick succession of different owners before the federal state of Glarus purchased it in 1517. For the next 280 years, bailiffs were sent from Glarus to reside in the castle and rule over the province.
In 1803, the territory was transferred to the newly-founded Canton St.Gallen. Possession of the castle itself was retained by Glarus until 1810. In 1835 it became the private residence of the Hilty Family, which had lived in Werdenberg for centuries. In 1956, Frieda Hilty, the castle’s last private owner, donated the castle to the Canton St.Gallen, which opened it to the public.
The castle and town are now part of the municipality of Grabs. The majority of the buildings in the town are privately owned and used for housing.

Werdenberg Castle can be reached by two footpaths; the view from the tower over the Rhine valley is worthwhile to climb up.

"Werd" is the Middle High German word for Island.
The river Rhine was flooding the whole rhine vally depending on the season and this place was probably sticking out like an island when the surroundings had been flooded.