At some point in the castle's history the western wall at the main cistern collapsed.

As early as the 16th century the castle was visited by hikers who carved their initials and dates into the plaster walls.

[2] The castle occupies the entire top of a small rock outcropping south of Thusis.

Storage buildings and workshops were probably built on the mountain side of the outcropping and were separated from the castle by a ditch.

The original entrance into the castle was on the east side of the palas, but after the cistern collapse the outer gate was sealed.