Clan Rising
Old Worb Castle today

Switzerland · Still standing

Old Worb Castle

Worb Castle (Old Worb) is a medieval castle in the municipality of Worb, Canton of Bern, Switzerland, and is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The core was built before 1130 and later altered and expanded, with a significant residential wing added in 1643; a separate manor (Neuworb or New Castle) was built nearby in 1734.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1130

Its prime

1643

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1643

What Old Worb Castle looked like in its prime.

The castle's silhouette is defined by its medieval keep flanked by the adjoining great hall and the knight's house, forming a compact medieval core. In 1643 a new residential wing was grafted on to that core, creating an extended roofline and additional domestic façades. The older cluster sits within the village setting of Worb, with the later Neuworb manor visible nearby across the estate.

Its story

The story of Old Worb Castle.

Worb Castle, Old Worb, stands in the municipality of Worb in the Canton of Bern and is listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. Its core was built before 1130, and the family that ruled the Worb Herrschaft held it until 1336, when they became citizens of Bern and the territory came under Bernese authority.

The castle was later altered and expanded, gaining a significant residential wing in 1643; a separate manor, Neuworb or the New Castle, was built nearby in 1734. The two estates were acquired by the Goumoëns-Sinner family in 1846. In 1964 the Seelhofer family bought the old castle, while the New Castle passed in 1985 to the von Graffenried family.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1643.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Old Worb Castle, including 3 interiors: interior of the keep, the great hall, the knight's house. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the village laneInterior of the keepThe great hallThe knight's house1643 residential wing (exterior)View toward Neuworb (New Castle)

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Recreate Old Worb Castle with AI to explore it.

The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1643, a photoreal reconstruction that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.

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Whose castle

Clans who held Old Worb Castle.

The families that held Old Worb Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Goumoëns-Sinner

    The Goumoëns-Sinner family acquired the two Worb estates in 1846.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Old Worb Castle.

Stadion Wankdorf, SwitzerlandStadiumStadion Wankdorf9 km awayKindlifresserbrunnen, SwitzerlandFountainKindlifresserbrunnen9 km away

Questions about Old Worb Castle

What is the history of Old Worb Castle?

Old Worb Castle has a medieval core built for the Freiherren von Worb, who were first mentioned around 1130. The castle passed to the von Kien family and later to the von Diesbach family. After a fire in 1535, it was rebuilt, renovated in 1469 and 1594, and expanded with a residential wing in 1643.

What is inside Old Worb Castle?

Inside Old Worb Castle are the keep, the great hall and the knight's house. The baroque residential building contains a collection of rural glass, while rooms on the Bel-Etage have painted linen wallpaper. These interior features belong to the castle's later residential use.

Why was Old Worb Castle built, and what was it used for?

Old Worb Castle was built as the seat of the Freiherren von Worb. Its original core comprised a keep, great hall and knight's house, while later additions included a substantial residential wing in 1643. The nearby Neuworb manor was built in 1734 as a separate estate.

Where is Old Worb Castle?

Old Worb Castle is in the municipality of Worb, in the Canton of Bern. Worb is the nearest named town, and the castle stands within the village setting. It is in the administrative territory of Worb.

When was Old Worb Castle built?

Old Worb Castle was built in the 12th century, with its core built before 1130. The castle developed in phases: the original keep, great hall and knight's house were later repaired and renovated, and a new residential wing was added in 1643.

Which family or clan held Old Worb Castle?

The Goumoëns-Sinner family held Old Worb Castle as part of the two Worb estates from 1846. The family acquired both estates in that year. In 1964, the Seelhofer family bought the old castle, while the New Castle passed to the von Graffenried family in 1985.

What did Old Worb Castle look like in its prime?

Old Worb Castle has a compact medieval silhouette formed by a keep flanked by the adjoining great hall and knight's house. The 1643 residential wing extends the roofline and adds domestic façades. The older cluster stands in the village setting, with the later Neuworb manor visible nearby.

Is Old Worb Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Old Worb Castle is still standing and intact. Its surviving form combines the medieval keep, great hall and knight's house with the residential wing added in 1643. The castle was altered and expanded over time rather than reduced to a ruin.

Can you visit Old Worb Castle?

Old Worb Castle is privately owned and is not publicly accessible. It remains in private hands, and the interior is not open to the public. No public visiting arrangement is stated in the supplied material.

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