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Lenzburg Castle
Lenzburg Castle sits atop a prominent molasses hill overlooking the town of the same name in Aargau and is among Switzerland's oldest and most significant hilltop fortresses. The fortifications date back to the 11th century, when the Counts of Lenzburg established their ancestral seat here. Following their extinction in 1173, the castle passed successively to the Staufers, the Kyburgs, and ultimately the Habsburgs. In 1415, it was captured by the Bernese, who utilized the castle for over 350 years as the seat of their bailiffs and expanded it into a formidable fortress. The architecture presents an impressive ensemble of a palas, knight's house, gate towers, and bastions reflecting various historical periods. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the castle was privately owned, including by polar explorer Lincoln Ellsworth, before transferring to a public foundation in 1956. Today, it houses Museum Aargau and features diverse exhibitions on knightly lore, dragons, and domestic culture through the ages.
- Location: Switzerland
- Top sights: Alter Gemeindesaal / Markthalle · Stadtkirche · Burghalden Museum
- Nearby: Suhr (8 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| Rain mm | 83 | 65 | 82 | 83 | 129 | 118 | 124 | 124 | 87 | 96 | 80 | 92 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The earliest documentary mention of the castle dates back to 1036.
- Emperor Frederick Barbarossa personally stayed at Lenzburg in 1173.
- The 'Palas' is the oldest preserved residential building in the complex, dating from the 11th century.
- Between 1415 and 1798, a total of 71 Bernese bailiffs resided in the castle.
- Lincoln Ellsworth owned the castle from 1944 until his death in 1951.
- The castle houses one of Switzerland's most significant historical museums.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Lenzburg Castle (10)
Burghalden Museum🏛 museum
Museum collection in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau, Switzerland.
Schloss Lenzburg🏰 castle
Castle in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau, Switzerland.
Museum Schloss Lenzburg🏛 museum
Museum at Lenzburg Castle in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau.
Neolithisches Gräberfeld
Archaeological site in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau, Switzerland.
Katholische Kirche Herz Jesu
Church building in Lenzburg, Switzerland.
Himmelsleiterli
Viewpoint in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau.
Goffischlössli🏰 castle
Building in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau, Switzerland.
Stapferhaus🏛 museum
Museum in Lenzburg, canton of Aargau.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
Why is Lenzburg called the 'Dragon Castle'?
What is the highlight for children?
How do you get up to the castle?
Is there a café in the castle?
What can you see in the prison tower?
Lenzburg Castle: where is it located?
Lenzburg Castle: what is there to see?
Lenzburg Castle: when is the best time to visit?
Lenzburg Castle: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
