Altishofen Castle

The castle was built in 1571-75 by Ludwig Pfyffer and has been owned by the municipality since 1862. In the beginning, it belonged to the noble Lords of Balm. Altishofen passed to the Empire after the regicide in 1308. On August 3, 1312, Altishofen, which consisted of Altburon and some small places, was sold to the Teutonic Order. After the Reformation, the Council of Lucerne had Altishofen administered by its officials until 1542, when the Teutonic Order reclaimed its property. In 1571, the Order sold the castle of Altishofen to the Avoyer Louis Pfyffer of Lucerne (called the King of the Swiss, as he excelled in the service of the French Crown during the Wars of Religion). Afterwards, the family called themselves "von Altishofen". In 1862, the commune bought the castle and installed an orphanage and a foyer for the needy.