Oberer Mannenberg ruin

Oberer Mannenberg is a ruined medieval castle at Mannried, in the municipality of Zweisimmen, canton of Bern, in Switzerland's Simmental valley. It is listed as a Swiss cultural property of national significance.

What is Oberer Mannenberg?

Two castles once stood on the Mannenberg ridge, the Upper (Oberer) and the Lower (Unterer), roughly 200 metres apart. Together they formed the seat of power over the Upper Simmental. This page covers the upper castle only; the lower one has its own separate story.

By the 13th century the upper castle was a sizeable, multi-part complex. Its core held at least two stone buildings, and a walled outer bailey surrounded them. Historians think a fortification may have stood on the hill even earlier, when the valley was still part of the Burgundian crown lands.

Who held it, and how did it fall?

The lordship of Mannenberg first appears in writing around 1270, in the hands of the Barons of Raron. In the early 14th century it passed to the Lords of Strättligen, who sold it in 1336 to the Counts of Gruyères (Greyerz).

The counts sided with Fribourg, which fuelled conflict with the valley's people and with Bern. In 1350 Bernese troops attacked and partly destroyed the upper castle. It appears to have been rebuilt, since in 1356 the counts sold the castles to the Düdingen family, who were allied with Fribourg. When Bern merged the Upper Simmental into a single bailiwick (Landvogtei) in 1493, the strongholds had lain in ruins for almost 150 years.

What will you see today?

Wall remnants and traces of the old layout remain on the hill. This is a quiet site with no reconstruction and no commercial attractions. A foundation, working with the municipality and the Mannried farmers' community, stabilises the ruins to slow further decay.

The site lies at 46.5717 N, 7.3820 E, with views over the Zweisimmen area and the Simmental valley.

How do you get there?

The ruins sit on the Burgenweg, a themed trail linking the castles of the Upper Simmental. Start in Zweisimmen or Mannried and walk the final stretch. Both Mannenberg castles are close enough to visit in a single outing. Check the current trail route on the Burgenweg website before you set out.

When should you visit?

Come in the snow-free months, when paths are dry and easy to follow. Winter snow in the Simmental can make the approach difficult. Wear sturdy walking shoes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Oberer Mannenberg the same as Unterer Mannenberg? No. They are two separate castles on the same ridge, about 200 metres apart. Together they were the centre of power in the Upper Simmental.

When was the castle destroyed? Bernese troops attacked it in 1350. It was partly rebuilt, but by 1493 it had lain in ruins for nearly 150 years.

Is the site protected? Yes. It has national-significance heritage status, and a foundation, the municipality and the Mannried community work to preserve it.

Can I combine it with other castles? Yes. The Burgenweg links the ruins of the Upper Simmental, so a longer route is easy to plan.