Iberg Castle

The Iberghof (also known as Ibergerhof) is a listed, castle-like building in Mellingen, Switzerland. It is located at the southeastern corner of the old town, near the banks of the Reuss and opposite the town church.

The oldest part of the Iberghof dates back to the 13th century. At that time, it was the private court of the Lords of Iberg, ministeriales in the service of the Counts of Kyburg. At the beginning of the 14th century, it came into the possession of the Segesser family from Mellingen. From 1591, it belonged to various members of the Order of St. John and the Teutonic Order, until Jost Ranutius II. Segesser von Brunegg bought back the family property in 1731. Until the 18th century, the Iberghof completed the town fortifications on its southern flank. Although the owners did not belong to the municipal legal association, they were obliged to contribute to the defense. In 1779, the Iberghof was sold to the town; it initially served as the residence of the pastor, and from 1856 as a hospital, poorhouse, and retirement home. Since the comprehensive renovation in 1968/69, a daycare center has been located here.

The Iberghof acquired its current late Gothic appearance around 1570 to 1580. The trapezoidal, three-story building has massive walls. On the southwest side, a round Schneggen (stair tower) is attached, which protrudes above the eaves and is connected to the roof ridge by two superimposed corridors. The uppermost tower floor from the late 18th century is polygonal and has a low tent roof. The shoulder arch of the tower entrance is decorated with the Segesser coat of arms and the stonemason's mark of the sculptor Anton Wyg from Brugg. A short remnant of the town wall leads from the Iberghof to the town church.