Schenkenberg Castle

The origins of Schenkenberg Castle date back to the early 13th century, when it was likely built on behalf of the Habsburgs to secure their core territories and the city of Brugg. It was first documented in 1243, owned by the Schenken von Schenkenberg, Habsburg liegemen. After the Battle of Sempach, the Habsburgs faced financial difficulties and mortgaged the castle. In 1415, when the Habsburgs fell out of favor with King Sigismund, the Confederates conquered Aargau. Schenkenberg Castle changed hands several times in the following decades until it was occupied by Bern in 1460, after the von Baldegg family, allied with Austria, repeatedly provoked conflicts with the Bernese subjects in Brugg. The damaged castle was repaired and subsequently served as the seat of the Bernese bailiff for the Schenkenberg bailiwick. In the early 18th century, the castle had become so dilapidated that the bailiff moved out in 1720, and the complex was left to decay. After the creation of the Canton of Aargau in 1798, the ruin became its property. After a checkered history, during which it was even auctioned off, the Aargau Association for Heritage Protection took over the castle in 1918 and carried out extensive preservation work. Today, the ruin is a protected monument and classified as a national heritage site.

The Schenkenberg Castle Ruin is located in Thalheim in the Brugg district of the Canton of Aargau, Switzerland, at an altitude of approximately 619 m above sea level.

The Schenkenberg Castle Ruin is now accessible to visitors and can be explored. It presents itself as an impressive ruin, secured and preserved by the Aargau Association for Heritage Protection.

• Ruchenstein Castle Ruin (Castle), approx. 1.3 km away
• Kasteln Castle (Castle), approx. 1.4 km away
• Biberstein Castle (Castle), approx. 3.5 km away
• Auenstein Castle (Castle), approx. 4.2 km away