Castle Wyher, Switzerland

Castle Wyher website (German + English):
http://www.schloss-wyher.ch

In an idyllic countryside location south-east of the village centre of Ettiswil (Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland), a moated castle full of late mediaeval character and charm awaits the visitor.

The first mention of the name "Wyher" in a document dates back to 1304. During the High Middle Ages several lineages of lower nobility had a share in the Wyher sovereignty. But it was under the highly influential and monied Lucern families of Feer and Pfyffer that Castle Wyher enjoyed its heyday. Indeed it was owned by the Feer family for over a hundred years (1480-1588) and in the hands of the Pfyffer family for almost 250 years (1588-1837). Both families possessed the financial means to develop the castle complex as they saw fit, creating a splendid feudal seat. In 1837 both the Castle and the farmstead went to the Hüsler family of farmers from Gunzwil. Gradually the Castle complex fell into neglect.

No sooner had the manor house been designated a listed monument than it was destroyed by fire after a lightning strike in summer 1963. The Canton of Lucerne subsequently bought the ruins left by the fire and established a foundation designed to save and renovate the moated castle in several stages through private initiative and the support of the Association of Donors as well as the Foundation Board. The large-scale commitment by the Canton of Lucerne and the Municipality of Ettiswil have also contributed a great deal as have the many instances of volunteer work.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• medieval
• castle
• Mittelalter
• Schloss
• Wyher
• Ettiswil
• Luzern
• Switzerland
• Schweiz