Switzerland · Still standing
Burgdorf Castle
Burgdorf Castle (Schloss Burgdorf) is a medieval hilltop castle in Burgdorf, canton of Bern, Switzerland, and is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The complex developed from the 11th–13th centuries under the Zähringen and Kyburg dynasties and later served as the seat of Bernese administrators; today it houses a museum and public functions.
First raised
1200
Its prime
1729
Today
Still standing
As it stood in 1729
What Burgdorf Castle looked like in its prime.
Perched on a wooded limestone hill above the town and the Emme river, the castle presents a cluster of pale stone buildings and high, steep red-brown tiled roofs. A tall square donjon with a steep hipped roof and a small stair-turret dominates the silhouette; long curtain walls with rectangular and half-round towers link the ranges. The eastern wing added in 1729 forms a lower, plastered block with green-painted shutters, and the main approach rises from the market below to a rebuilt stone gatehouse.
Its story
The story of Burgdorf Castle.
A castle at Burgdorf was first mentioned in 1080 as castellum Bertoldi ducis, built on the left bank of the Emme by either the kings of Burgundy or the Dukes of Zähringen, who held the land after 1080. The Zähringens inherited the Rheinfelden lands in 1090, and in 1127 Duke Konrad received the Rectorate over much of Burgundy from Emperor Lothair III; under Duke Berthold V the castle was expanded in 1200.
After the extinction of the Zähringen line, Burgdorf passed to the Counts of Kyburg, under whom the castle was the capital of the county and the counts served as mayors of the town. When the Kyburg line died out in 1264 the castle passed to Eberhard of Habsburg, married to Anna of Kyburg, who became Count of Neu-Kyburg; in 1382 Count Rudolf II of Neu-Kyburg launched a raid against Solothurn to try to force the city to forgive his debts.
The castle later served as the seat of Bernese administrators. Today it is a Swiss heritage site of national significance, housing a museum and public functions.
Step inside
8 places to explore in 1729.
The record describes 8 distinct spots at Burgdorf Castle — including 4 interiors: base of the donjon and stair tower, knight's hall (museum hall), eastern wing (apartments and granary) and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
Create History
Recreate Burgdorf Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1729 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate this castle →Whose castle
Clans who held Burgdorf Castle.
The families that held Burgdorf Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Zähringen
The Dukes of Zähringen held Burgdorf from 1080 until the extinction of their line; Duke Berthold V expanded the castle in 1200.
Kyburg
The Counts of Kyburg held Burgdorf as the capital of their county until the line died out in 1264.
Habsburg
Passed in 1264 to Eberhard of Habsburg, Count of Neu-Kyburg, through his marriage to Anna of Kyburg; his Neu-Kyburg line held it thereafter.
