Lenzburg Castle – castle of knights and dragons
Towering on a cliff above the eponymous town Lenzburg Castle is one of the most beautiful hilltop castles in Switzerland. The castle complex still standing today was built over a period of approximately 900 years. During this time it served as a residence of counts and bailiffs from Bern as well as being the private home of a wealthy American family. Visitors crossing the drawbridge and entering the courtyard through the castle's wooden gate immerse themselves in its 1000-year long history.
Castle life between 1415 and 1956
The museum illustrates the lives and times of the castle’s inhabitants from the times of the Bernese bailiffs during the Late Middle Ages, to the Renaissance and Baroque periods and eventually the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by the castle's private owners around 1900. Projections and audio installations describe the daily lives of the castle's former inhabitants.
Knights and nobles
From the 11th to the 15th centuries three aristocratic dynasties lived at Lenzburg Castle, the Lenzburgs, the Kyburgs and the Habsburgs. The newly opened knights’ exhibition features shadow films introducing visitors to the lives and times of select members of these three families. A knight’s lifestyle focused almost entirely on conflicts and power structures as well as courtly culture and the Christian faith. By exploring its rooms, visitors can learn more about the castle's former inhabitants.
The historical workshop
In the museum’s historical workshop visitors can learn what it meant to be a knight or weigh out the punishment for different crimes in early post-medieval times on the scales of justice. Learn more about the historical reality of life as one of the castle’s bailiffs or as one of the criminals who were once incarcerated here.
The children’s museum and the castle's dragon "Fauchi"
Which child would not want to live in a castle, be a knight or a princess? In our kids' corner children can dress up, do arts and crafts and discover the castle's hidden corners. In the dragon research centre they can learn more about the characteristics of dragons, and those who are brave enough can even meet the legendary dragon "Fauchi"!
Living history in its original setting
A wide range of events, guided tours, workshops and demonstrations of old crafts breathe new life into the castle’s ancient stones and a variety of cultural events such as the medieval market are popular tourist attractions.
From 29 March to 3 November:
Monday: closed
Tuesday-Sunday: 10am-5pm
Individual visitors
Castle museum, courtyard and bistro:
- Adults: CHF 14
- Apprentices and students (up to 26 years): CHF 10
- Children (4 to 16 years): CHF 8
- Family ticket A (2 adults + max. 5 children): CHF 35
- Family ticket B (1 adult + max. 5 children): CHF 25
Courtyard and bistro:
- Adults: CHF 5
- Apprentices and students (up to 26 years): CHF 4.50
- Children (4 to 16 years): CHF 2.50
Groups (as from 10 people)
Castle museum, courtyard and bistro:
- Adults: CHF 10
- Apprentices and students (up to 26 years): CHF 8
- Children (4 to 16 years): CHF 4
- School classes: CHF 4
Castle museum and bistro:
- Adults: CHF 3.50
- Apprentices and students (up to 26 years): CHF 3
- Children (4 to 16 years): CHF 1.50
Free Entrance
- Swiss Museum Pass
- Museums-PASS-Musées
- Raiffeisen Cards
- Association of Friends of the Lenzburg Castle
Picnic areas around the Castle.
Dogs are not allowed in the inside of the castle.
The courtyard and bistro are wheelchair accessible.
On site
The bistro offers snacks, coffee and cakes.
Nearby
- Hotel Krone, Lenzburg
- Hotel Ochsen, Lenzburg
By rail to Lenzburg. Bus from the train station SBB to the castle car park or a 25minutes walk from the train station.
Parking lots are available at the castle.
Walk from Lenzburg to Lake Hallwil, ride a bicycle along the Aabach stream through leafy woods and sunny fields to Seengen and Lake Hallwil (no significant changes in altitude, an ideal family outing).
The car-free historical centre of Lenzburg offers various shops and a weekly market on Tuesdays and Fridays with fresh produce from the surrounding areas.
Accomodations
- Hotel Krone, Lenzburg
- Hotel Schifflände, Birrwil
- Hotel Seerose, Meisterschwanden
- Youth hostel, Beinwil