Wildegg Castle - is it worth a visit in 2024?

8 Highlights at Wildegg Castle

• Wildegg Castle dates back to the 13th century and was rebuilt in Baroque style after a fire and reconstruction in the 17th century.
• The historic castle garden is widely known. It covers 3300 square meters and is both a kitchen garden and a pleasure garden.
• Besides unique flower varieties you can find old, almost forgotten vegetable varieties.
• A rose garden from 1830 surrounds you with noble roses, English roses and rose arches.
• Varied special exhibitions and events bring the castle back to life.
• The tour takes you through 33 living and working rooms on eight floors in the castle. All are very well and almost completely preserved
• Join one of the many workshops and make your own ointment, create your own fragrance or make your own delicious marzipan.
• The fairy tale festival "Klapperlapapp" is only one of several events that take place in the castle. Fairy tale shows are staged in various Swiss dialects in the barn, in the garden or in the castle.

The offer at Wildegg Castle

You can visit Wildegg Castle on your own or with a guided tour. You can choose what you would like to experience:

• the whole castle complex
• only the garden and the outbuildings (without the museum)

The museum

Wildegg Castle is nowadays a residential museum. It tells about the life of the noble family Effinger, who owned the castle from the 15th to the 20th century. The 37 living and working rooms show you the elite life culture of 11 generations and tell you about everyday life at the castle in talking portraits

In addition to the living rooms, there are also various exhibitions, such as the nursery and the horse stable. Here children can learn all about horses, play and paint

The gardens

The gardens are a unique feature of Wildegg Castle. A pleasure garden, kitchen garden and rose garden with rare plants and vegetables of the 18th century extend over a whole 3300 square meters. In this oasis you will feel the aristocratic lifestyle and deal with the hunting and gardening culture

The rose garden contains countless old and new rose varieties from all over the world. Especially there, the garden invites you to linger and marvel and makes for an unforgettable trip.

The history of Wildegg Castle

Wildegg Castle was founded by the Habsburgs in the 13th century. When the canton of Aargau was conquered in 1415, the castle passed into the hands of the city of Bern after various changes of ownership.

The castle was particularly influenced by the Effinger family, who owned Wildegg from 1483 to 1912. During eleven generations they took care of the castle. In 1552 the castle was struck by lightning and burned down almost completely. It was then rebuilt in the late Gothic style. in 1700 Bernhard Effinger decided to transform the complex into a baroque residential castle and began to extend the unique gardens.

In 1912 Julie von Effinger, the last generation of the family, bequeathed Wildegg to the Swiss Confederation. The National Museum (formerly the National Museum) turned it into a residential museum, which has been open to the public since 1917

Between 1938 and 2007, the castle was extensively renovated and has belonged to the Canton of Aargau and the "Schlossdomäne Wildegg" Foundation since 2011.

Swiss Activities Tips for Wildegg Castle

Workshops

Since the castle is especially known for its garden, we advise you to attend a workshop in the garden. This way you will learn more about plants and flowers, and you can even take home a healing ointment.

Main flowering season

If you come to Schloss Wildegg especially for the rose garden, June is the best time. Then, thanks to the main flowering season, it's the perfect time to visit the garden

Castle Foxtrail

Especially if you are traveling with children, a Foxtrail is a great way to explore the castle. In Wildegg Castle you can find secret doors and tricks in a playful way. The trail starts at Wildegg train station and ends at the castle

Souvenirs

The museum store has a wide range of books, postcards and handicrafts. But you will also find culinary regional products as well as articles for the garden

Catering at Wildegg Castle

The castle bistro is located on the loggia or the terrace facing the courtyard. In this unique ambience you can order drinks and small dishes during the opening hours of the museum

You can pay with CHF, EUR or card (Postcard, Maestro, Visa, Mastercard)

Opening hours at Wildegg Castle

Wildegg Castle is open from April to October. In winter the castle is unfortunately not accessible

How to get to Wildegg Castle

Wildegg Castle is located in the municipality of Möriken-Wildegg in the canton of Aargau and is easily accessible by all means of transport

by car

The best way to reach Wildegg Castle by car is via the A1 or A3. It is only a few minutes away from the highway exits.

From Zurich you drive about 35 minutes. The best way is to take the A1 and exit at Mägenwil.

From Bern and Lucerne we advise you to take the A1 exit Aarau-Ost. The drive takes about one hour from Bern and 50 minutes from Lucerne.

If you are coming from Basel, take the A3 and exit at Brugg/Windisch. You will drive about 50 minutes

The castle area is a car-free zone, which you can only use to bring or pick up persons with reduced mobility. Free parking is available below the castle. From the parking lot it is about 5 minutes walk.

by public transport

Wildegg is also easily reached by train via the Wildegg train station. From the station you can either walk for 20 minutes or take the bus. The way is signposted and leads you through the village. The closest bus stop to the castle is "Möriken AG, Schloss Wildegg". From here it is a 10 minute walk

Alternatively, you can take bus 380 or 381 from Lenzburg to "Möriken AG, Schloss Wildegg" in the direction of Wildegg

Practical information about Wildegg Castle

*## What you should look out for

• No dogs are allowed in the castle. Assistance dogs are excluded from this. However, dog houses are available in front of the castle entrance.
• Not all facilities and exhibition areas are accessible to people with disabilities
• During large events, you may have to park your stroller in front of the castle

More practical information

• Free lockers are available for larger handbags and backpacks.

Wildegg Castle is a popular destination and especially known for its unique garden. Especially in nice weather it is perfect for a day trip for families, couples and groups.