Schloss Burgdorf – Take a Trip Down an 800-Year-Old Iconic Landmark

Germany, home to some of the most beautifully built castles, has carefully preserved this iconic piece of architecture that stands tall as a telling example of a glorious past. Schloss Burgdorf, an impressively towering 800-year-old castle is not only one of the most iconic structures of ancient Germany but it’s now also home to a museum, a restaurant and a youth hostel. A visit to this beautiful castle offers a memorable walk down history while giving you a chance to stay within those monumental remains of what was once an iconic place in Germany.

Schloss Burgdorf History

Even though the exact origins of the castle are unknown, quite understandably as it is more than 800 years old, it is known that Counts of Rheinfelden owned a castle in Burgdorf, which was later taken over by the Dukes of Zähringen in 1090. This could be the beginning of the long history of today’s Schloss Burgdorf. It is also known that Duke Berthold V started making several cities to cement their authority and one of those cities was Burgdorf.

From there on, the Schloss Burgdorf was made into what it is now. After passing through various owners, rulers, and regimes and facing many refurbishments, the canton of Bern started using it as their administrative unit in the 1800s. In the 2000s, the castle was turned into a museum and in 2017, it was converted into a public space. However, it was opened to the public only as recently as 2020. 

Schloss Burgdorf Inside

The castle has a residential tower, which is the main part of the entire building, a fortified tower and a great hall. The castle gets its majestic red appearance as it was built with bricks, a material that was almost unknown at the time of its construction. 

Currently, the castle has a museum, a restaurant and a youth hostel. The museum tells the entire story of the castle, the region it is based in and how it is globally known. The restaurant is based in the castle courtyard, offering local cuisine and breathtaking views of the valley. Meanwhile, the youth hostel is located within the museum, giving a lovely combination of living a modern life and history at the museum.

Schloss Burgdorf Interesting Facts

Here are some interesting facts about the Schloss Burgdorf:

• There is a legend that says that a dragon and a maiden lived below the castle and two brothers, brothers Sintram and Bertram, beat the dragon and built the castle above it all
• The castle is considered to be one of the best preserved of all the castles built by the Zähringens 
• Even 800 years ago, it was built by bricks, which was an unknown building material at that time

Schloss Burgdorf Nearby Places to Stay

There are some really nice hotels, ancient structures, homestays and villas available for staying around the Schloss Burgdorf. Some options to look for include Hotel Jardin Bern, Stadthaus Burgdorf, Boutique Hotel Orchidee, Romantik Hotel Baren, Swissotel Kursaal Bern, etc.

Have you visited this castle before? If yes, why not share some beautiful pictures with us!
You can email us your pictures of the castle at castrumtocastle@gmail.com. Please use the name of the castle in the subject line.
Also, don’t forget to mention your name and social media profile link if you want the credits!

Nitesh Kucchal

Nitesh Kuchhal, an IIM Calcutta graduate, is more than an educator—he's a mentor. With a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship, and travel. He has explored over 20 countries. Beyond teaching, he dives into psychology and discusses social issues. Though he is not a history expert, he enjoys learning about it through books, adding a historical touch to his many interests.