Hallwyl Castle

The castle's origins trace back to the late 12th century, when the Lords of Hallwyl erected a residential tower on the Aabach. Around 1265, this was supplemented by a palas. In the early 14th century, Johans I von Hallwyl expanded the complex into a fortified water castle with an artificial island and a round tower. Fires in 1380 and 1415, the latter caused by Bernese troops during the conquest of Aargau, led to destruction, but the castle was always rebuilt and extended. Around 1500, gun towers were added, and from 1578, Burkhard III von Hallwyl transformed the defensive castle into a representative late Gothic residential palace with stair towers and a banqueting hall. In the 19th century, neo-Gothic alterations were made under Hans Theodor von Hallwyl, but these were later reversed by his sister-in-law Wilhelmina von Hallwyl to restore its medieval state. In 1925, she established the Hallwil Foundation and opened the castle to the public. Since 1994, it has been owned by the Canton of Aargau and is part of the Aargau Museum.

Hallwyl Castle is located in Seengen, in the Lenzburg district, Aargau Canton, Switzerland, at an elevation of approximately 457 m above sea level.

Today, Hallwyl Castle serves as a museum and is open to the public. Visitors can explore the history of the Lords of Hallwyl and life in past centuries across eleven thematic areas. The complex is open from April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, and on public holidays.

• Brestenberg Castle (Castle), approx. 1.1 km away
• Hilfikon Castle (Castle), approx. 4.1 km away
• Trostburg (Castle), approx. 5.8 km away
• Liebegg Castle (Castle), approx. 6.0 km away