Where is the Birchiburg ruin located?

It lies in Bollschweil, in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district, Baden-Württemberg, on a hilltop of the Birkenberg.

How old is the Birchiburg ruin?

Its origins date back to the 10th century, although it is first documented in writing in the 14th century.

Why was the Birchiburg destroyed?

It was destroyed around 1377-1378, possibly as a punitive action linked to the Upper Rhine city league, though the exact cause remains unclear.

What remains to be seen at the site?

Only wall remnants survive, including traces of a former square tower and a residential building.

Can the Birchiburg ruin be visited freely?

Yes, the site is freely accessible, but reaching it requires a walk through the forest.

Ruine Birchiburg

Bollschweil

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Where: Bollschweil

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To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Schloss Hugstetten (Hugstetten Castle)Open to visitors17 km

Sleep nearby

Schloss Reinach (Reinach Castle)Accommodation on site12 km

Ruine Birchiburg stands in Bollschweil (Landkreis Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald), in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Recorded dating: 10th century. Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

The Birchiburg ruin stands on a hilltop at 515.6 metres, above the Möhlintal valley, a few kilometres southeast of Bollschweil. The fortress is first documented in written sources from the 14th century, when it belonged to the Schnewlin family, though its origins trace back to the 10th century. Destroyed around 1377-1378 for reasons that remain unclear, only wall remnants survive today. Excavations carried out between 1998 and 2002 by the University of Freiburg shed light on its layout, revealing a square tower and a residential building protected by a thick enclosing wall.

What to know

The site lies in the forest, away from the village, and requires a walk on a forest track to reach it.
Only wall remnants survive, with no restored building or visitor facilities.
Access is free and unrestricted, with no set opening hours.
Reaching the ruin on foot requires reasonable fitness due to the slope of the Birkenberg.
No information is available regarding parking or accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility.

Where this château is

Bollschweil · Landkreis Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald · Baden-Württemberg

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

St. Ulrich Gütle, 79283 Bollschweil

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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4.7 / 5from 7 Google reviews

Heritage status: Protection status unknown
Period of construction: 10th century

In pictures

Frequently asked

Where is the Birchiburg ruin located?: It lies in Bollschweil, in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district, Baden-Württemberg, on a hilltop of the Birkenberg.
How old is the Birchiburg ruin?: Its origins date back to the 10th century, although it is first documented in writing in the 14th century.
Why was the Birchiburg destroyed?: It was destroyed around 1377-1378, possibly as a punitive action linked to the Upper Rhine city league, though the exact cause remains unclear.
What remains to be seen at the site?: Only wall remnants survive, including traces of a former square tower and a residential building.
Can the Birchiburg ruin be visited freely?: Yes, the site is freely accessible, but reaching it requires a walk through the forest.