Ruine Mittlerer Wartenberg

Mittlerer Wartenberg is a castle ruin above Muttenz in the canton of Basel-Landschaft, a short trip from Basel. It is the middle one of three medieval strongholds along the Wartenberg ridge, and the only one you can climb. The top gives you a view over Muttenz and the Rhine valley.

What is left of the castle?

Only the residential tower has survived from the original complex. It was built in the 12th century and lived in until the 15th. Records do not name the builders; historians link the tower to the Counts of Homberg, a branch of the Frohburg family. A wooden staircase inside the stone walls leads up to a viewing platform.

What is the history of the middle castle?

The first written record dates from 1301, when the castle was granted as a fief to the Basel family zer Sunnen. It later passed to the Münch family, and in 1371 to the Münch von Münchenstein line. The city of Basel acquired it in 1515. By about 1470 records already called the site a "Burgstall", an abandoned castle site. During the Thirty Years' War the tower briefly served again as quarters for soldiers.

In 1910 the Basel lawyer and archaeologist Karl Stehlin and the Muttenz master builder Jakob Eglin carried out the first excavations, hoping to find Roman remains. Eglin led the restoration of the tower in 1934. Between 1954 and 1956 the walls were raised, and the platform and staircase were added. Researchers now regard part of the 1934 reconstruction, especially the window area, as doubtful.

Who looks after the ruin?

The society Gesellschaft pro Wartenberg maintains the site, including the lighting of the middle ruin. In 2014 it received the culture and sports prize of the municipality of Muttenz.

How do you get to Mittlerer Wartenberg?

The walk begins in Muttenz. Tram 14 serves Muttenz Dorf and Pratteln station. The "Von Burg zu Burg" trail (T1, about 11.7 km, around 3 hours 15 minutes, season March to October) starts at Muttenz station, passes the Wartenberg and ends in Pratteln. It runs via Egglisgraben, Schauenburg, Bad Schauenburg and Adlerhof to Pratteln castle. A shorter route from Muttenz to Pratteln is about 7.4 km. A loop of roughly 10 km from a car park asks for decent fitness and steady footing.

What else is on the ridge?

The same hill holds the remains of the other two castles, Vorderer Wartenberg and Hinterer Wartenberg. You can visit all three in one outing. Only the middle tower is open to climb; the other two are ruins in the landscape.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the ruin?

Yes. A wooden staircase inside the tower leads to a viewing platform. It is the only one of the three Wartenberg castles opened up this way.

When is the best time to visit?

The "Von Burg zu Burg" trail is described for March to October. In that season paths are the most predictable and the route suits families.

How long should I plan for?

Walking from Muttenz station to Pratteln station past the castles takes about 3 hours 15 minutes. The shorter variant is around 7.4 km.

Is the ruin lit at night?

Yes. The Gesellschaft pro Wartenberg maintains the lighting of the middle ruin.