Birseck Castle

The origins of Birseck Castle date back to the 12th century, when the Counts of Frohburg sought to expand into the southern Sisgau. In response, Bishop Lüthold of Basel acquired the castle hill in 1239 and began construction of the current castle in 1243/44. Traces of fire on older masonry suggest a possible predecessor building. In 1245, Ludwig von Frohburg relinquished the castle, which then temporarily served as an episcopal residence. The Basel earthquake of 1356 caused damage, and in 1373 the castle was pledged to the Lords of Ramstein, but redeemed in 1435. In the 15th and 17th centuries, the complex was expanded, including battlements on the upper floors and a chapel. In the 18th century, the castle gradually fell into disrepair, and in 1763 Karl von Andlau moved his residence to the village. During the French Revolution in 1793, parts of the castle and the adjacent garden were destroyed. Auctioned as national property in 1794 and used as a quarry, it was acquired in 1808 by Conrad von Andlau and Heinrich von Ligerz. They restored the tower and chapel in the Neo-Gothic style, adding a knight's hall and battlements.

Birseck Castle is located in Arlesheim, in the Arlesheim district, canton of Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland, at an altitude of approximately 396 m above sea level.

The castle can be visited today. It consists of a core castle, which remains as a ruin, and a lightly fortified outer bailey, which still houses a farm with residential and economic buildings. Following renovation work in 2000 and 2005, the castle has been accessible to visitors again since 2007.

• Andlauerhof Manor (manor house and estate), approx. 0.5 km away
• Reichenstein Castle (castle), approx. 0.5 km away
• Dorneck Ruin (Dornach) (castle), approx. 1.4 km away
• Münchenstein Ruin (castle), approx. 2.4 km away