Aarwangen Castle

Aarwangen Castle is a castle in the municipality Aarwangen in the Swiss canton of Bern. It is an architectural monument of national importance. It lies on the south bank of the river Aare near the bridge of Aarwangen on the main street of Niederbipp to Langenthal.

History

Aarwangen Castle was built by the Lords of Aarwangen, Kyburgs ministerial charge Lige, in the 13th century to defend the important river crossing. As first lord of the manor of Aarwangen Knight Burkart Aarwangen is detected. As a result, the castle remained in the possession of the Lords of Aarwangen. In the second half of the 13th century and the first half of the 14th century, the lords of Aarwangen were among the leading families in the Upper Aargau and the Kyburg court in Burgdorf. After the extinction of Aarwanger in 1341 fell village and reign on the Green Mountains, which were ministerial of the Habsburgs.

Following the acquisition of Burgdorf in 1384, the Bernese sphere of influence shifted step by step, to the east. After 1415, the Confederates the Habsburgs wrested from the Aargau, Bern bought in 1432 the castle and dominion Aarwangen of William of Green Mountain. The foundation stone was laid in the bailiwick Aarwangen Castle, which remained in place until the end of Bern's city-state in the spring of 1798. A total of 75 governors resided in the castle.

Since 575 years the castle of the Bernese cantonal authorities serves. Specific tasks it had to take over in the Peasants' War in 1653: as a horse-changing station of the Bernese courier and as an arsenal it had additional features.

Architectural and art history

Aarwangen Castle is a striking, from an early Gothic main tower dominated and baroque complex restored in the river crossing. The horseshoe -shaped walled, formerly with open against the Aare ditch is in the south- western section and read, as is the corner tower at the bridge. Dominant is the nine-storey, uninhabitable main tower of the 13th century very well maintained Boss Square Association, 1624 the top floor and the beautiful scrolled gables were added in a remarkable adaptation to the medieval inventory.

Enclosed by housing on three sides, with a medieval nucleus, numerous alterations to the 20th century. Stair tower 1643rd pieces of equipment of the 17th and 18th centuries. Aarwangen has with Trachselwald the most beautiful and best maintained medieval castle tower, a special feature is its recessed in the wall thickness stairs to mention.

Aarwangen Castle was originally a moated castle. The castle was open to the east, with a square tower covered access. Over the river Aare to the north rose parallel to the flow of Palas, separated from the tower by a narrow, built-up in the 18th century courtyard. Also horseshoe were separated by a 15 meter wide ditch the ramparts of the foothills. An additional obstacle is a series of large ponds on the mountain side. In the middle of the ring stood the massive castle keep, originally a habitable tower, with its up to 2.5 meters thick.