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Schloss Bellikon is a late Gothic manor castle in the municipality of Bellikon, in the Baden district of the canton of Aargau, northern Switzerland. It is one of the oldest secular landmarks in the area, and the castle even appears in the village coat of arms.

What is Schloss Bellikon?

The Aargau heritage inventory describes a rectangular late Gothic building from around 1500. It was raised by the Krieg family, a Zurich council dynasty that held advocacy and lower jurisdiction in Bellikon from 1353. Before them, the Habsburgs held the high court in the area around 1300. Some popular texts push the castle's origins back to the 13th century, but the cantonal records point to about 1500.

How did the castle's story unfold?

In 1640 the Schmid family from Uri bought the castle together with the lower jurisdiction. From 1645 they styled themselves "von Bellikon". The last lords of the manor were Jost Anton Schmid and his grandson Anton Maria Schmid. A small chapel beside the castle dates from 1676 and was built after a long dispute. During the Second Villmergen War of 1712, Zurich troops plundered both castle and chapel. In the mid-19th century the chapel was converted and secularised.

The look of the main building changed in 1909, when the Zurich architects Streiff & Schindler remodelled it substantially. Since 1947 the castle has been protected at cantonal level as a monument of regional significance. It went to auction at the end of September 1999.

What else is nearby?

A Roman road from Vindonissa (Windisch) to Turicum (Zurich) once crossed the territory of today's municipality. Bellikon sits on the hills above the Reuss valley between Baden and Bremgarten, so the castle fits well into a walk through the area or a day trip to the small towns of eastern Aargau.

Frequently asked questions

When was Schloss Bellikon built? Around 1500 according to the Aargau heritage inventory. The neighbouring chapel followed in 1676.

Who built it? The Krieg family of Zurich, who held advocacy and lower jurisdiction in Bellikon from 1353.

Is the castle a protected monument? Yes. It has been under cantonal protection since 1947, rated as regionally significant.

Can I go inside? The sources list no regular visiting hours. Check current access rules with the Bellikon municipal office before you go.