Brief overview
Lenzburg Castle is one of the oldest and most important hilltop castles in Switzerland. The waves of great political upheaval and history have reached its walls time and again.
11th/12th C. Counts of Lenzburg
In the early 12th century, the founders of the castle built the palas (great hall) and parts of the residential tower. When the last Count of Lenzburg died in 1173, Lenzburg Castle was inherited by the German Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa.
13th/14th C. Habsburgs
As an imperial holding, the castle became the property of the Habsburgs, whose family seat is located only a few kilometres away. They extended the complex by adding a gatehouse and the knight’s house, and reinforced the fortification walls all around the knoll of the hill.
15th – 18th C. Bernese period
After the federal troops had conquered Argovia in 1415, a Bernese bailiff was installed in the castle from 1442 onwards. A Bernese style bailiff’s residence was erected as well as in 1600 the "Back House" (today Stapfer House). Other buildings, such as the bakery, washhouse, armoury and sentry house no longer exist. The 17th century saw the addition of fortifications including the east and south bastions as well as an outer ward protecting the access points. The northern parts of the buildings were extended and altered in the 18th century.
1804 – 1853 The new Canton Argovia takes ownership of Lenzburg Castle
When Canton Argovia was founded in 1803, the castle was taken into public ownership and from 1823 onwards was rented out to the educator Christian Lippe, who ran a boys’ institute. After Lippe’s death, the castle changed hands several times.
1853 – 1956 Private owners
The poet Frank Wedekind spent his youth at Lenzburg Castle. No major architectural changes took place during this time.
In 1893, the American Augustus Jessup bought the castle and had it renovated as a fitting residence for his wife Lady Mildred Bowes-Lyon, who was related to the English Royal Family. The 17th century building stock was largely reconstructed by removing later additions and revealing earlier architectural components. It was Jessup’s aim to create a more comfortable style of living by installing technological innovations and by redesigning the outdoor areas as gardens.
In 1912, the castle was taken over by the family of the polar explorer Lincoln Ellsworth.
since 1956 – public access
Canton Argovia and the town of Lenzburg bought the castle from L. Ellsworth’s widow and established a foundation. Between 1978 and 1986, Lenzburg Castle was extensively restored and made accessible to the general public.
Grosser Rat
