Top 15 Castles around Liesberg

The Vorbourg ruin towers above Delémont and offers an impressive view of the valley. The medieval castle was probably built in the 12th century and later abandoned. Today, remnants of walls and parts of the complex are still preserved. The site exudes a special, almost mystical atmosphere. Easily accessible via hiking trails, the ruin is a popular destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts. In combination with the nearby Vorbourg chapel, it makes for a rewarding excursion in the Jura.

In the years 1934/35 the castle must have been in a state of severe decay, so the ACV Basel acquired the ruin and rebuilt it as a youth hostel in cooperation with the Swiss Castle Association. Unemployed young people built their dream castle out of it, which today primarily serves groups and school classes as a base for a few princely days.

Zwingen Castle is picturesquely situated at the entrance to the Laufental valley. This well-preserved medieval complex once served as an administrative center and customs station. Today, the tower, the ring walls, and the village center define the historic townscape. It is freely accessible and makes a worthwhile stop for hikes along the Birs river and short visits.

The view from the top of the valley is breathtaking, and you can see far and wide. Just the right amount of time before the descent to Delémont.

A short, entertaining visit to the complex before heading straight to Laufen.

Rotberg Castle is located on the recently signposted Castle Magic Route 114 and is worth every visit, especially for an overnight stay. Although the castle is a Swiss youth hostel, it can also be rented privately: for weddings, anniversaries, etc. The entire castle is also available with or without catering. It is closed during the winter months. The shared rooms have been recently renovated. For only two or a few people, it is best to contact the castle directly; the tower room for two, for example, is not listed online.

Now a Youth Hostel, but a cool place to visit and a nice castle

For a long time, there was an old paper factory, known as "Papiri" for short, directly behind the castle. It used the water of the Birs. Unimaginable from today's perspective, large parts of the castle complex were demolished and rebuilt to expand the factory. The former factory has now been demolished and a huge playground is being planted in its place. The mighty chimney will remain in the middle of the greenery as a visible reminder of the Papiri. The management buildings have been renovated. The rooms are rented out to commercial enterprises. This means that Zwingen Castle will once again have a more spacious environment and will once again be the focus of the Birs landscape.