Willdegg Castle

Wildegg, Switzerland

Willdegg castle in the midst of gardens, meadows and vineyards was founded in the first half of the 13th century by the Habsburgs. For eleven generations Wildegg Castle was owned by the Effinger family. During that time the castle was expanded several times. The gardens in their seasonal change are an oasis of calm and an invitation to stroll, smell and marvel.

The site consists of a well-preserved 13th-century keep and palas, which was converted into a baroque style residential building at the end of the 17th century.

These days, visitors experience authenticity with historic gardens and lifestyle. The living and working rooms of the castle are originally furnished and show the sophisticated culture and the exquisite taste of the Effinger family. Visitors find furniture and paintings, stoves and painted wallpaper, watches and lamps, porcelain dishes and weapons from various epochs, always of the finest quality.

The gardens in their seasonal change are an oasis of calm and an invitation to stroll, smell and marvel. The kitchen and pleasure garden of the castle is a display window for rare garden and field plants as well as berries from the ProSpecieRara Foundation. In the rose garden, historic and numerous varieties of rare roses are blooming. The bistro offers the guests a choice of simple refreshments. For the children there are many games to pass the time in the castle’s barn. A visit to a castle of a different type is to choose the Trail Wildegg from Schlossfoxtrail. The visitors solve funny puzzles, decode secret messages and try to find the right track in the beautiful scenery.

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Details

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

More Information

www.myswitzerland.com

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

A. Var (Zee) (5 months ago)
Ok so I agree with everyone, it is a magnificent castle. But what was our cool for us to discover is the huge play space for kids! We stayed for hours and hours! There is a whole barn dedicated to kids, with a wooden horse area and a carriage, a pool table, a knights room with a mock castle, swords, shooting targets, a dress up space, giant chess, a reading corner, wooden games, a play dining room, I mean, the place rocks! We have come before and we keep coming back because this place is amazing!!
Ihsan Sakar (7 months ago)
Schloss Wildegg is a castle located in the canton of Aargau, Switzerland, and is considered a historical heritage site. Wildegg is situated on a hill overlooking the Aare River, close to Lenzburg. The castle is particularly known for its Baroque architecture and its vast, impressive gardens. History: Schloss Wildegg was built in the early 13th century and was managed for centuries by the Effinger family, a noble Swiss family. The Effinger family took ownership of the castle from the 15th century and retained it until 1912. During their tenure, the castle underwent extensive restorations, acquiring its present Baroque character. Architecture and Interior: The castle is a classic example of the Baroque period. Its interior features period furniture, works of art, and rich decorations. Visitors can explore most of the rooms inside the castle, where historical items from the 17th and 18th centuries are often displayed. Gardens and Parks: Schloss Wildegg is especially famous for its extensive gardens. These gardens are arranged in Baroque style, with various plant species cultivated on the castle's grounds. Notably, there is a historic vegetable garden and a herb garden. In addition, there are walking paths and scenic spots around the castle. Museum and Events: Today, Schloss Wildegg is preserved as one of Switzerland's heritage sites and is managed by the Swiss National Museum. The castle serves as a public museum for history enthusiasts and tourists. The exhibits focus on Switzerland’s rural lifestyle, aristocracy, and the history of gardening. Moreover, concerts, weddings, and cultural events held at the castle are quite popular. Visiting and Access: Schloss Wildegg offers visitors a unique experience with its historical atmosphere and natural beauty. It is easily accessible from Lenzburg and Wildegg train stations. The castle attracts particular interest during the summer months, and guided tours are also available. By providing both historical and cultural richness, Schloss Wildegg has become one of Switzerland's major tourist attractions.
Beat A. Schwendimann (11 months ago)
Well preserved and fully furnished castle. Over the centuries, the Effinger family upgraded the castle from a medieval fortification to a baroque castle with a formal French garden. The history of the castle is explained trough 'talking portraits', which you'll find throughout the castle (German with English subtitles). For children, there is a play area, where they can dress up in period clothes. Cafe and gift shop on site.
David Thomasse (2 years ago)
Schloss Wildegg is a beautifully preserved historic castle. The rose garden and the French Garden are especially pretty in spring and summer. The Castle is turned into a well decorated museum and the interactive videos are fun and educative for both adults and children. The museum shop is also noteworthy and has a very nice collection of gifts and souvenirs.
Lydia H (3 years ago)
Excellent museum with excellent view. When you’re walking up the castle, you can see farms with cows, horses, ponies, chicken, goat and sheeps. Outside the castle there are also beautiful gardens. The castle is very well mantained and has interactive guide. You can also take a guided tour. We went on Sunday in October and it wasn’t very crowded. Very recommended.
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