Forder Birsek Castle

Castle Forder Birsek rose on a rocky hill, it is surrounded by a picturesque landscape. Translated “Fordere (or Vordere)” means “front”, there is also the name “Untere Birseck”, that is, Lower Birseck. At one time, the castle was one of four defensive fortresses, which explains its name. Above is the upper castle – Reichenstein, the middle castle (Mittlere Burg) and the rear castle (Hintere Burg) remained in the form of ruins.

The fortresses were erected by the Bishop of Basel Luthold in the middle of the thirteenth century, according to historians, in order to prevent the expansion of the influence of the count family of Froburg. In the wall masonry found treated stones of much older origin, this suggests that the castle was built on the site of a previously existing building.

After the earthquake of 1356, some structures of the fortresses (in particular, the castle church) were damaged. In the XV and XVII centuries the castle was rebuilt, and in the XIX century the new owner, Konrad von Andlau, restored the inherited fortress in the fashionable neo-Gothic style.