Ruine Alt Homberg

Ruine Alt Homberg is a medieval castle ruin on a hilltop above the village of Wittnau in the Swiss canton of Aargau. Only scattered wall remains survive from this once-mighty stronghold, yet its enormous ditches and long history make it a rewarding stop for anyone hiking in the Aargau Jura.

How did Alt Homberg Castle come to be?

The exact founding date is unknown. Researchers point to the 10th or early 11th century, and it is certain that a fortress stood on the Homberg by about 1100. A document from 1103 mentions a certain Rudolf "de Honberc", a nobleman who took his name from the place. The castle was the ancestral seat of a family line descended from the Counts of Thierstein.

Who owned the castle?

After 1223 the Homberg passed by inheritance to the Counts of Froburg. When the younger Neu-Homberg line died out, the estate went to Countess Maria of Oettingen. In 1351 Duke Albrecht of Austria, a Habsburg, bought the entire castle district from her for 400 marks. Just two years later, in 1353, the castle was pledged to Count Johann II of Habsburg-Laufenburg.

The earthquake that changed everything

In 1356 one of the strongest earthquakes in the history of Central Europe struck Basel and its surroundings. Alt Homberg was destroyed. A record mentions funds set aside for reconstruction in 1359, but scholars still debate whether the castle, or even part of it, was ever rebuilt. Two grave slabs from the 15th century suggest that the castle chapel stayed in use, or that a new chapel was built on the site in the late Middle Ages.

Excavations and finds

In 1869, 1882 and 1884, young men from Wittnau dug at the ruin under the direction of the village pastor, Hermann Müller. Most finds came from the layer left by the 1356 disaster: pewter tableware, copper kitchen vessels, swords and spurs. They were parts of a count's household, frozen at the moment daily life on the hill abruptly ended. Later digs in the 1980s uncovered medieval refuse pits, a valuable window onto everyday life at the castle.

What can you see today?

The ruin is heavily decayed, and only a few wall fragments remain. The main highlight is the pair of deep ditches, which reach roughly 16 metres on the east side. The inner ditch is unusually large for a Swiss castle. A shield wall is also visible, once protecting the side most exposed to attack. The site is listed as an A-object in Switzerland, meaning it is of national significance.

How to get there

The ruin is reached on foot from Wittnau. The Mitteldorf bus stop is a convenient starting point. The path leads through woods and meadows typical of the Aargau Jura, so sturdy shoes and time for a proper walk are a good idea.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Ruine Alt Homberg? Yes, it is an open site reached on foot from the village of Wittnau.

When was the castle destroyed? In 1356, in the great Basel earthquake.

How much of the castle is left? Not much. The ditches and the shield wall are the most impressive features.

Does the ruin have special heritage status? Yes, it is classed as a Swiss A-object, of national importance.

Who is it best suited to? Fans of medieval history, forest walks and Jura scenery. Allow a few hours including the walk up from Wittnau.