Schloss Buonas

Schloss Buonas is a castle estate on the Buonas peninsula on Lake Zug, in the municipality of Risch-Rotkreuz, canton of Zug. The old castle, its outbuildings and a large landscaped park are listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property (KGS). It is one of the region's oldest manors, though not a ticketed sight in the usual sense.

What is this place?

The castle stands on the lakeshore, and according to sources its roots go back to the 11th century. The knightly family von Buonas is first recorded in 1130. The layout is a regular rectangle with a tower set into the southwest corner. A fire in 1478 left only the walls, and the building was reconstructed in 1494–98, giving the old castle the form it still has.

Who held it?

Around 1260 the Hertenstein family, later councillors of Lucerne, inherited the lordship and, backed by that city, built up the Buonas domain around the castle and the proprietary church of Risch. Zug held high justice here but never fully controlled the area. In 1656 Katharina von Hertenstein passed the lordship to her husband, Johann Martin Schwytzer von Buonas, and in the 18th century the family introduced silk spinning. Two citizens of Zug bought the castle in 1782, feudal rights lapsed in 1798, and Buonas became part of the municipality of Risch.

What about the second castle and the park?

Between 1873 and 1877 the industrialist Karl von Gonzenbach had a new castle built beside the old one, in an English-Scottish Tudor style that was unique in Switzerland. It was pulled down in 1969 (some sources say 1970). The park dates from about 1875 and was designed by an English landscape architect; it is known for its interesting tree stock and plant collection. In 1896 Gonzenbach's daughter Vera married Baron Ewald von Kleist at the castle. Since 1997 the estate has belonged to Roche, which runs it as a conference centre.

Can you visit?

The estate is private and does not operate as a museum. Unofficial visitor reports mention occasional days when the park opens to walkers, but such details go stale quickly, so check dates with the Risch-Rotkreuz municipality before you travel. The setting can also be appreciated from the lakeshore and the walking paths around the peninsula.

How do you get there?

Buonas lies on the eastern shore of Lake Zug, a few kilometres from central Risch and from Rotkreuz station, which has trains on the Zug–Lucerne line. From Rotkreuz you can reach Buonas by car or bike across flat, quiet lakeside terrain. The castle's coordinates are 47.1405 N, 8.4705 E.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the name Buonas come from? From the knightly family von Buonas, first documented in 1130.

Is the old castle original? It stands on medieval foundations; its present form comes from the rebuilding after the 1478 fire, completed in 1498.

What happened to the Tudor-style castle? Built in 1873–77, it was demolished at the end of the 1960s.

Who owns it today? Roche, since 1997, which uses it as a conference centre.