Frohberg Castle Ruins

Aesch, Switzerland

The ruins of Frohberg castle is on a rocky ridge at the upper end of the Klus valley on the way to the old Platten pass road. The stronghold at Frohberg was first mentioned in 1292 when Conrad I Schaler 'de Vroberg' was mentioned. It is likely that the castle was built by the Schaler family in the second half of the 13th Century. Although the castle dominated the way across the Platten pass (between Birseck and Laufental), the location of other castles in the immediate vicinity, suggests that the motivation for the castle was not the collection of tolls, but power games between the families of the Schaler and Münch.

The castle was perhaps never quite finished or it castle was damaged during the Basel earthquake of 1356 and was not repaired. In any case, in the 14th Century, the remains were given as a bishop's fief to the counts of Thierstein-Pfeffingen. This fief was not so much about the ruins, which needed costly repairs, but the assets related to the castle including tax collection and court rights.

The ruins are widely scattered and consists of an extended main castle, surrounded by different approach obstacles. So far, the ruins have not yet been investigated archaeologically and so only rough interpretations are possible. The main castle was formed by a housing tract and a curtain wall. The wall follows the irregularly extending ledge. The massive living area consists of two parts and a smaller west building with irregular floor plan as a residential tower. The thick walls were up to 3 meters thick and built from rough cut stone. To the east, adjoining the living area, is an elongated building that served as an administrative and residential building. On the northwest and northeast sides the remains of outlying estates are visible.

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Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Switzerland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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3.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Christina Serra (12 months ago)
Should be rebuilt and a path made. Sad these ruins are left to rot. Will be completely lost to future generations.
Uwe Häntsch (2 years ago)
Best to hike from Aesch BL or Pfeffingen. You can either come through the picturesque vineyards of Ober Chlusberg or from Pfeffingen via the Burgengratweg. You can then climb three more old castles on the Burgengartweg. The Frohberg castle ruins are located at around 490 meters above sea level in the upper Tschöpperli. However, the castle ruins are not signposted shortly before the destination and it is difficult to find a way up. You have to climb through a vineyard and then up a very steep but short slope. Once at the top, the walls of the ruins are rather inconspicuous and barely preserved. There is a fireplace in the middle of the ruins. But the views from up here are very beautiful. On the one hand the view is towards Basel and the Black Forest. On the other side you have a beautiful view of the vineyards of the Chlustal. The ruins are well suited for resting because you can usually find peace and quiet up here. Hikers usually walk past the ruins.
Thierry Baumann (3 years ago)
Nice view. Difficult to climb but it has a fire pit on the platform above.
lay hoon. (4 years ago)
was cornered off...
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