Eigenthal Castle (Berg)

The construction history of Eigenthal Castle is not fully understood. It is presumed that a ministerial castle of the Kyburg or Habsburg families once stood on this site, but archaeological evidence is lacking. Ulrich Eigendal is first mentioned in a document in 1391. The Eigendal family disappears from records at the end of the 15th century. In the 15th century, the Eigenthal estate was owned by the Rietmeyer family and was first mentioned as such in 1430. From 1477, it was considered a fief of the Kyburg county. In 1537, the estate, with all its components, was granted to Hans Weber. Around 1570, it passed to Heinrich Peyer of Schaffhausen, who later sold it to his son-in-law Junker Georg Rietmann. Rietmann and his second wife Anna Fälin had the castle extensively rebuilt and expanded in 1588, giving it essentially its current form. A plaque with coats of arms and the year 1588 commemorates this renovation. Another renovation took place in 1667. After that, the castle changed hands several times, including the Stapfer, Schmid, and Wyss families. In 1765, Junker Hs. Kaspar Escher vom Luchs acquired the property. His son Hs. Georg Escher connected Eigenthal and Berg castles with an avenue and furnished them lavishly. In the 19th century, the castle was inhabited by Georg Escher, who operated a straw goods factory there and established a library. In 1840, he had a late Gothic entrance porch in Tudor style built. After his death, the property passed to his sister Cäcilia Escher. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, there were several changes of ownership. In 1927, Walter C. Rüegg acquired the castle and had it renovated. In 1938, Werner Amsler became the owner, followed by G. van Riemsdijk, who carried out further renovations in 1980 and 1983.

Eigenthal Castle is located in Berg am Irchel in the district of Andelfingen, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland, at an elevation of approximately 391 meters above sea level.

Eigenthal Castle is currently privately owned.

• Berg Castle (Castle), approx. 0.5 km away
• Flaach Castle (Castle), approx. 0.9 km away
• Teufen Castle (Castle), approx. 3.7 km away
• Goldenberg (Village) Castle (Castle), approx. 3.8 km away