Burg Reichenstein

Burg Reichenstein is a strong Château located on the territory of the commune of Arlesheim, in Suisse.

History

The castle is mentioned for the first time in 1239 under the name of " Castrum Birseke superior " then later under that of " of obere Birseckburg ". It is southernmost of the four medieval castles located on the hill of Birseck. Most septentrional is the Burg Birseck whereas the two central castles are nothing any more but ruins.

Absorbed like the other castles in 1245 by the évêché of Basle, he is entrusted in old Baillif to the Reich family of which he takes the name later five years. Between 1250 and 1400, this family will thrive and grow rich, giving seven mayors to the town of Basle and even a Prince-bishop with the diocese.

The castle is touched hard by the Earthquake of Basle of 1356. With this occasion, the prince-bishop Jean of Vienna, with court of money, the Mortgage with the Ramstein family with load of rebuilding. Restored, the castle remains during approximately eighty years possession of the Ramstein family until in 1435, date on which the bishop Jean de Fleckenstein refunds, thanks to a loan conceded by the towns of Bienne, Delémont and Neuveville, the ensenble of the mortgages burdening the castles with the valley of the Birse.

During the 15th century, the towns of Basle and Soleure try successively and without success to seize Burg Reichenstein until in 1547 where he is again mortgaged at the town of Basle against a loan of 16 ' 000 guilders. It is finally the agreement of Baden of 1584 which will regulate the case definitively, allotting the ensenble Birseck to évêché. At that time, the castle is not occupied any more and slowly will fall in ruins during 18th and 18th centuries.

In 1813, the Reich family sells the ground which, after several successive owners, becomes the property in 1932 of Doctor J. Brodbeck which requires of the architect inhabitant of Zurich Eugen Probst, specialist in the castles, to draw up to him plans for the restoration of the castle. The rebuilding however is limited to the tower of the Donjon that Brodbeck uses as residence of summer.

In 1938, it created a family foundation, transform in 1972 in foundation of public law which is occupied since castle. This one rents it with groups going to 50 people for various events, such as evenings of companies or marriages.

Sources

Article '' Reichenstein '' on swisscastles

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