Landenberg Castle (Sarnen)

The original Landenberg Castle complex was likely built by the Landgraves of Lenzburg or their successors, the Habsburgs. A possible connection to the Kellner of Sarnen, a knightly family of the 13th century who might have held the fortress as a Habsburg fief, is also discussed. There are no contemporary written sources regarding its exact construction period or early inhabitants. A possible destruction around 1240 during an uprising against Rudolf the Silent could not be definitively proven archaeologically. The Zurich chronicler Felix Hemmerli, however, linked Sarnen Castle with the Swiss Wars of Liberation around 1450. According to the White Book of Sarnen, the castle was captured by the people of Unterwalden during Christmas while the bailiff of Landenberg was at mass. The name “Landenberg” only became established in the early 17th century. After its destruction, the castle gradually fell into disrepair. In 1616, the site was sold to build a shooting range, for which medieval wall remains were removed. Later, the site was also used for the annual Landsgemeinde. Further constructions and terrain adjustments destroyed the last remnants of the medieval castle until archaeological excavations in 1895 revealed traces once more.

Landenberg Castle is located in Sarnen in the canton of Obwalden, Switzerland, at an elevation of approximately 501 meters above sea level.

Today, the site of the former Landenberg Castle is privately owned. The modern shooting range with onion domes characterizes the area. Only a few traces of the medieval castle complex are visible, which were documented during excavation work in 1895.