Grünenberg Castle

Grünenberg Castle
Ruine Grünenberg
Melchnau
View of the ruins of Grünenberg Castle
Grünenberg Castle Show map of Canton of Bern Grünenberg Castle Show map of Switzerland
Coordinates	47°11′N 7°52′E / 47.18°N 7.86°E / 47.18; 7.86Coordinates: 47°11′N 7°52′E / 47.18°N 7.86°E / 47.18; 7.86
Site information
Owner	Stiftung Burgruine Grünenberg Melchnau
Open to the public	yes
Condition	Ruined
Site history
Built	11th-12th century
In use	11th-15th century
Materials	Sandstone exterior with silicate rubble core
Fate	Abandoned and fell into ruin
Battles/wars	1383-84 Burgdorferkrieg, 1444 Besieged by Bern

The ruins of Grünenberg Castle, Schnabelburg Castle and Langenstein Castle are a complex of three interconnected castles on a hill above the municipality of Melchnau in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. The three castles formed the center of power of the Barons of Grünenberg in the Oberaargau region during the High Middle Ages.

The complex of three ruined castles sit on a hill above the village of Melchnau. The Lords of Langenstein were first mentioned in 1194 when they helped found St. Urban's Abbey. The castle was likely built around that same time. Shortly thereafter, the Barons of Grünenberg inherited the Langenstein lands which they ruled from Grünenberg Castle. Between the 12th and 15th centuries, Grünenberg Castle was a cultural and political center for the nobility that ruled over much of the Oberaargau region. As the family split into separate branches, including the Schnabel von Grünenberg, Grimm von Grünenberg and Grünenberg vom Albis, a third castle was added to the complex.

In the 14th and 15th centuries, the families expanded their power through marriage, purchase or holding fiefs for the Habsburg or Kyburg families. Their influence spread out from the Oberaargau into the Bernese Oberland.

In 1383-84, during the Burgdorferkrieg, the castles and village were attacked and captured by Bernese troops. After the war, the lands and castles were returned to the Grünenbergs after they entered into a treaty with Bern. In 1432, the family sold Aarwangen to Bern and the last resident of Grünenberg Castle, the knight Wilhelm of Grünenberg, moved to Rheinfelden. In 1444 Grünenberg Castle was besieged and occupied by Bern. The Grünenberg lands were annexed and a Bernese vogt or bailiff moved into the castle. In 1452 the last male Grünenberg heir, Wilhelm, died and in 1480 the family sold Langenstein castle to Bern. After the Grünenberg lands were absorbed by Bern, it became part of the Bailiwick of Aarwangen. The castles were abandoned and began to slowly fall into ruin.