Buchs, Switzerland

I'm leaving Austria and crossing a bridge over the Rhine river into Switzerland. 
 

This sign tells me there's a castle nearby. Schloss is the German word for castle. 

Gruenenstein Castle dates back to 1280.

Gruenenstein Castle and grounds are rented out for weddings and other events. Some of the castle's rooms have been converted into apartments and are occupied.

I had heard Alstaetten, population 4,100, had a nice old town area. Unfortunately I show up the morning after a big festival. The two main streets were lined with food and booze tents and debris/garbage was everywhere. 

This is an intersection in Alstaetten. You see all those red signs (10 of 'em)? They're all bicycle  direction signs for cycling routes. Some are for touring, others for mountain biking. 

Arriving in Buchs, population 11,000, I spot Werdenberg Castle perched on a hill

The passageway up to the castle takes you past some medieval beauties.

Half-timbered home on the way up.

Still heading up to the castle. 

Castle courtyard. Dating back to 1230, Werdenberg castle was donated to the Canton of St. Gallen in 1956.  Cantons in Switzerland (27 of 'em) are similar to states in the USA. 

View from the castle.