Wartenfels Castle

The origins of Wartenfels Castle likely date back to the era of the last Hohenstaufen emperor. Around 1250, Knight Wernher von Wartenfels, the first known lord of the castle, entered Kyburg service. His successors, Johann and Heinrich, were in the retinue of the Habsburgs. Niklaus von Wartenfels achieved the position of chairman of the royal court of justice under King Albrecht around 1300. As he had no male heir, the dominion passed through his daughter Anna to Hans von Thengen. Later, Wartenfels came into the possession of Heinrich and Hans von Roseneck through his granddaughter. In 1458, Heinrich von Bubenberg, Schultheiss of Bern, acquired the castle. Just seven years later, in 1465, Adrian von Bubenberg sold the complex to Solothurn, which converted Wartenfels into a bailiwick. After a rebellion by the subjects in 1489 and the relocation of the bailiwick to Niedergösgen in 1498, the castle was handed over to private individuals. Over the centuries, ownership changed frequently, including the families Bubenhofen, Röust, Hess, and Greder. The latter had such a lasting impact on the castle that it was long known as Grederschloss. Since 1930, the well-preserved castle has been owned by the Meidinger family from Basel.

Wartenfels Castle is situated at an elevation of approximately 628 m above sea level in Lostorf, in the Gösgen district, Canton Solothurn, Switzerland. It is easily accessible from the mountain side (west), while the other sides drop off steeply.

Wartenfels Castle is currently privately owned and is a well-preserved and vibrant estate that adorns the wooded mountain slopes around Lostorf.

• Frohburg Ruin (Trimbach) (Castle), approx. 3.6 km away
• Falkenstein Castle Remains (Castle), approx. 4.8 km away
• Homburg Ruin (Castle), approx. 6.2 km away
• Sälischlössli (Olten) (Castle), approx. 6.3 km away