Engenstein Castle (Ruin)

Engenstein Castle, also known as Vorder-Schalberg or Alt-Schalberg, was likely built by the Schaler family in the first quarter of the 13th century. It probably served as the manor house and residence for this Basel noble family before the nearby Schalberg Castle was completed. The most intensive period of use is presumed to be in the second half of the 13th century. After the Schalers died out in the 14th century, the castle passed to the Counts of Thierstein as an episcopal fief. The ruin fell into oblivion and was only rediscovered around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century by Walther Merz. Private excavations took place between 1963 and 1970, and in 1975, the site was excavated and conserved. Finds are now exhibited in the Aesch Local History Museum.