Bailiff's Castle

Bailiff's Castle (Landvogteischloss, Schloss Willisau) sits on a rise above the old town of Willisau in the canton of Lucerne. This late-17th-century Baroque residence is a Swiss heritage site of national significance and a natural stop on any walk through the town.

What is the castle in Willisau?

It was the seat of the official who governed the Willisau district for the authorities of Lucerne. After the Peasants' War of 1653 the bailiff relocated from Lucerne to Willisau to keep a closer watch on the countryside. The present building went up between 1690 and 1695 under bailiff Franz Bernhard Feer, serving as both a showpiece residence and an administrative centre. The office disappeared in 1798 with the creation of the Helvetic Republic.

What stood here before?

The hill once carried the stronghold of the Hasenburg family, which seems to have fallen into ruin after 1386. A tower from the town's fortifications, dating to around 1400, was absorbed into the later castle.

What can you see?

• a sgraffito-decorated facade,
• stucco work and painted ceilings inside,
• a picture cycle on the Holy Blood (Heiligblut) legend, tied to the nearby pilgrimage chapel,
• a stuccoed wedding hall on the ground floor,
• the Archaeology Cellar, a roughly 500-year-old vault with an archaeological display, free to enter. Local tourism listings say it reopened in February 2025 after modernisation.

Over the centuries the building has housed a school, the municipal offices and the district court. It was renovated in 1979–1982. Offices still work here today, so it is not a conventional museum.

Can you go inside?

The corridors are open during office hours, but the rooms themselves can only be seen on a guided tour. Group tours can be booked through the Willisau tourist office. The hill and the grounds around the castle are open to wander at any time.

How to plan a visit

The castle stands in the middle of Willisau, so combine it with a stroll through the old town, the church of St Peter and Paul and the Heiligblut chapel; all three are also nationally listed. The town is reachable by train and bus from the Lucerne region, and one to two hours is enough. Sources give differing opening hours for the cellar, so check with the local tourist information before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the Bailiff's Castle in Willisau?

Bailiff Franz Bernhard Feer commissioned it, and it was completed between 1690 and 1695.

Is there an entrance fee?

The archaeology cellar is free. Guided visits to the rooms are arranged with the tourist office.

Is there a museum inside?

No. The building is in practical use, and the interiors are shown on guided visits.

Is the castle a protected monument?

Yes, it is listed among Swiss heritage sites of national significance.