Castles in Solothurn Canton
Neu-Falkenstein Castle
Neu-Falkenstein Castle in Balsthal was probably built in the early 12th century by local noble family. In 1356 it was damaged by earthquake and during restoration got a new appearance. This is why the castle is called 'new' Falkenstein. The castle was destroyed in 1798 by local peasants during the Helvetic Revolution. Today the impressive ruins are restored.
Founded: 12th century |
Location:
Balsthal, Switzerland
Dorneck Castle
Dorneck Castle was built in the 11th century and documented first time in 1360, when it was sold to Habsburg family. It took part to the battles in 1499 (Schwabian War), 1525 (Peasants" War) before it was destroyed by French army in 1798. Today impressive ruins remain.
Founded: 11th century |
Location:
Dornach, Switzerland
Neu-Bechburg Castle
Neu-Bechburg Castle was built in 1250 by the Lord of Bechburg. The castle changed owners several times and, in 1635, it temporarily became the seat of the Bishop of Basel. Later it served as a private apartment, an inn and finally a stone quarry. In 1835 it was acquired by Johannes Riggenbach. His son Friedrich restored the castle from 1880 onwards.
Founded: 1250 |
Location:
Oensingen, Switzerland
Frohburg Castle
Frohburg Castle area was already inhabitated in Bronze and Roman Ages. In the 10th century the local Frohburg noble family ruled the area and built the castle. It was enlarged during the Middle Ages and also an iron furnace was established. Frohburg family line died out around in 1367 and the castle was left to decay. Later the stones were reused by local farmers. Today the ruins are one of the most popular sights in Olt ...
Founded: 10th century AD |
Location:
Trimbach, Switzerland
Waldegg Castle
The Baroque Waldegg Castle castle was built in 1682-86 as the summer home for Schultheiss Johann Viktor von Besenval (1638-1713) and his wife Maria Margaritha von Sury (1649—1713). His son, Johann Viktor II (1671-1736) was a diplomat and an officer in the French Swiss Guards. After he inherited the castle he had it renovated (1729-34), adding a theater and the chapel of St. Michael, and decorated in the current French ...
Founded: 1682-1686 |
Location:
Feldbrunnen-St.Niklaus, Switzerland
Buchegg Castle
Buchegg Castle, built in 1546, has a square tower with a hip roof. The Counts of Buchegg had a castle on the site until 1383 when it was destroyed by the House of Kyburg. The current building saw service as a prison and came into private ownership in 1863. It was restored in 1938 and was converted to a museum in 1956.
Founded: 1546 |
Location:
Kyburg-Buchegg, Switzerland
Balm Cave Castle Ruins
The Balm ruins are the remains of a fortified cave dwelling in the Jura Mountains, in the municipality of Balm bei Günsberg. It is that canton"s only cave stronghold and one of the few in Switzerland. The stronghold was built 20 metres high in a natural cave of about 20 metres wide and 6 metres deep. The outer wall was provided with two doorways and some narrow windows. The wet rock face was covered with a lining ...
Founded: 11th century |
Location:
Balm bei Günsberg, Switzerland
Alt-Bechburg Castle
Alt-Bechburg Castle was built in about 1050 by the barons of Bechburg. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1713 and never rebuilt. Nowadays it is a fine viewpoint. The vast Manna Table (9x11 metres), is a nice place for visitors to the castle to rest a while.
Founded: c. 1050 |
Location:
Holderbank, Switzerland
Blumenstein Manor
The Régence style Blumenstein manor house was built in 1725-1728 for the governor Franz Heinrich von Stäffis-Mollondin in the center of a 20 hectares terraced park. After Franz Heinrich"s death in 1749 the estate passed to his son Joseph Lorenz von Stäffis-Mollondin. When Joseph died in 1758 without an heir the Stäffis-Mollondin family ended and the estate was divided between his daughters Johanna Karolina Anop ...
Founded: 1725-1728 |
Location:
Solothurn, Switzerland
Wartenfels Castle
Wartenfels Castle was erected in the early 13th century by the Wartenfels counts, vassals of Habsburg family. Later it was owned by several families and in the 18th and 19th centuries residential buildings were added as well as a chapel.
Founded: 13th century |
Location:
Lostorf, Switzerland
Neu-Thierstein Castle
Neu-Thierstein Castle was founded in 1100 and a new building was built around 1294/95. The castle was apparently built by the Saugern-Pfeffingen family as a seat for a Kastvogtei (or a vogt with authority over a religious structure) who ruled over Beinwil Abbey. The first mention of the castle comes from 1321 when it was called Bello. As heirs of the Saugern-Pfeffingen family, in the late 12th Century, the count o ...
Founded: 1100 |
Location:
Büsserach, Switzerland
Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings
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Historic Site of the week
Krickenbeck Castle
Krickenbeck moated castle is one of the oldest on the lower Rhine. Its history dates back to the year 1104, when the castle was first mentioned. It is unclear why the old castle, which was certainly inhabited by Count Reginar, was abandoned or destroyed. In the mid-13th century the castle was moved to the current location. At the end of the 14th century the new castle belonged to the Counts of Kleve.
Johann Friedrich II of Schesaberg converted the castle into a Baroque mansion between 1708-1721. On September 7, 1902, a fire destroyed the entire mansion. From 1903 to 1904, a three-winged castle was built in the Neo-Renaissance style. Today Krickenbeck is a conference center.