Riedburg castle ruin

Riedburg castle ruin stands in Köniz, canton of Bern, on a hill above the Schwarzwasser gorge. It is a quiet stop for anyone interested in medieval Swiss history, and an easy add-on to a walk southwest of the capital. What survives of the fortress is a moat, the castle mound and wall remains of the tower and the palas.

What is the history of Riedburg?

The castle went up in the first half of the 14th century, on the site of an older 13th-century structure, beside an old route running above the Schwarzwasser gorge. It was the seat of Ivo von Bolligen, a knight loyal to Bern. During the dispute between Bern and Fribourg, Fribourg destroyed it in 1386. From 1388 the area came under Bernese authority.

The lordship attached to the castle lay between the Schwarzwasser, the Sense and the Scherlibach stream. In the 15th century it passed by marriage to Bernese burgher families, among them von Buch and Brüggler. In 1515 a group of seven well-off farmers took it over. Bern tried to buy it back in 1545 and again in 1626, without success. In the 18th century parts of the estate went to Bernese patrician families, and in 1798 the Helvetic Republic abolished the lordly rights.

What can you see today?

There are no rebuilt rooms and no ticket desk. You will find:

• the moat around the castle hill,
• wall remains of the tower,
• remnants of the palas, the former residential building,
• wooded ground above the deep Schwarzwasser gorge.

The coordinates are roughly 46.865 N, 7.365 E.

How do you plan a visit?

Riedburg fits well into a hike through the Schwarzwasser and Sense valleys. Komoot lists a nearby loop, "Sense River Gorge – Schwarzwasser Bridge", from Thörishaus Dorf: about 10 km, around 2 hours 40 minutes of walking and roughly 130 m of ascent, rated moderate. The route also passes the Old Schwarzwasser Bridge, a well-preserved historic crossing that once was the only link between Bern and the Schwarzenburgerland. Check a current hiking map such as swisstopo before you set out.

Late spring, summer and early autumn are the best seasons, when paths along the gorge are dry. After rain the slopes above the river can be slippery, so wear shoes with good grip.

Frequently asked questions

Is there more than a ruin at Riedburg?

No. The moat, the hill and fragments of the tower and palas remain. The site is not rebuilt and is not run as a museum.

Who destroyed Riedburg?

Fribourg destroyed the castle in 1386 during its conflict with Bern. The owner at that time was Ivo von Bolligen, an ally of Bern.

Is there an entrance fee?

The sources list no fees or opening hours. It is an open-air ruin seen on a walk.

What can I combine it with?

A hike through the Sense and Schwarzwasser gorges and a stop at the old bridge over the Schwarzwasser. Bern's centre is close, as the municipality of Köniz borders the Swiss capital.