Hallwyl Castle was built in the 11th century and is one of the most iconic moated castles in Switzerland.
It is located near Seengen, at the northern end of Lake Hallwil, on two islands formed by the course of Aabach.
The first mention of the fortress dates back to 1256 with the construction of a tower. At the beginning of the fourteenth century, a water moat and the walls were added to the fortress.
In 1415, during the conquest of Aargau by the Confederates, the fortress was completely destroyed by the army of Bern.
In 1500 it was rebuilt by adding two more defensive towers to the initial project.
After a long period of neglect, the von Hallwyl family created a foundation for the preservation of the fortress in 1925 and Hallwyl Castle has been owned by the canton of Aargau since 1994.
Its museum illustrates the life of the noble von Hallwyl family.
Over the course of its 800 years of existence, the von Hallwyl family has distinguished itself in many different ways: on the battlefields of the Confederation, in the courts of Europe, in science, in commerce and in the world of finance.
During the visit, you can explore the castle halls, which are divided into eleven themed areas that offer a broad historical overview.
