Schloss Wildegg

About the museum

The Wildegg castle was built in the first half of the 13th century under the Habsburgs and was occupied by their administrators, most recently by the lords of Hallwyl. After Bern conquered the Habsburg holdings in the 15th century, the complex remained almost intact. In 1483 Kaspar Effinger, a rural nobleman from Brugg, bought the castle and estate; his family lived here until 1912.

Around 1700 Bernhard Effinger had the medieval fortress converted into a Baroque pleasure palace and laid out a symmetrical garden. The Effingers lived off the dues of the surrounding villages and ran wine taverns, farms, a brickworks, as well as mills and dairies. After 1798 the family lost its noble privileges, and in the 19th century the family had few heirs.

The last resident, Julie von Effinger, bequeathed the castle and estate to the Swiss Confederation upon her death in 1912, on condition that nothing be changed in the fabric of the building. In 1917 the Swiss National Museum (Schweizerisches Landesmuseum) opened the castle museum on behalf of the federal government. Since 2011 the estate has again belonged to the canton of Aargau, and Museum Aargau is responsible for its care.

Today the house museum presents more than 30 furnished living and working rooms, in which talking portraits of former residents tell of everyday life between the Middle Ages and the 20th century. In addition there are the Baroque utility and pleasure garden, the rose garden and the museum forest.

Highlights

• Castle of talking portraits with a house museum furnished around 1800
• Baroque utility and pleasure garden with rare plant varieties (ProSpecieRara)
• Hands-on areas: children's room, horse stable and castle barn
• Exhibition "Jagd & Wild" with birds of prey, hounds and trophies
• Museum forest and vineyard trail around the castle

Permanent exhibitions

• Wohnmuseum und Ahnengalerie – More than 30 furnished living and working rooms in the style of around 1800, where talking portraits of former residents tell their stories.
• Jagd & Wild – Nature-focused exhibition on noble hunting around 1800, with animals, hunting equipment, trophies and a talking portrait of Sigmund Effinger.
• Kinderstube und Pferdestall – Hands-on rooms for children with costumes, old games, wooden horses, a carriage and a talking horse.

Founded

1917

Operated by

Museum Aargau (Kanton Aargau)

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen MemberPlus, Museums-PASS-Musées, VMS, ICOM, and for members of the association Freunde Schloss Wildegg; 50 percent reduction with the Kulturlegi card. Schlösserpass Museum Aargau: combination ticket with one admission each to the Lenzburg, Hallwyl and Wildegg castles (valid for two years). Combined family ticket "Badespass und Schloss Wildegg" with Aquarena fun in Schinznach-Bad, online only. School groups from the canton of Aargau receive a 50 percent reduction on travel, admission and educational program. The bistro and rose garden are accessible without admission. Payment in CHF by cash, credit card, Postcard, Twint and Reka-Card.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: not available
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: not available
• Audio description: no information

Because of the historic building, many castle rooms can be reached only by stairs; only the rooms of the ancestral gallery at the reception are wheelchair-accessible. The gravel castle courtyard with the bistro terrace is passable, the garden only in part. Accessible restroom at the bistro. Visitors with limited mobility may drive up to the castle gate; a marked accessible parking space is located at the visitor car park. No Braille signage, no induction loop, no texts in easy language. Dogs are not permitted on the grounds. Access information is provided by the initiative OK:GO.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Children dress up in the castle barn and play in the children's room and horse stable; there is also a discovery tour "Rätsel rund um Feste" (puzzles about festivals) and a castle fox trail. Playground with two fire pits about 250 meters from the castle. Strollers are possible in the castle courtyard and gardens, but not inside the castle building. Changing table in the Erlachhaus by the bistro. Children's birthday parties can be booked.

Getting there & parking

By car: motorway A1 (exit Mägenwil when coming from Zurich, Aarau-Ost when coming from Bern) or A3 (exit Brugg/Windisch when coming from Basel). Cycling and hiking trails lead to the castle.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Bistro in the Erlachhaus by the castle courtyard (self-service, loggia and terrace); admission to the bistro is free. Museum shop in the reception area. Cloakroom and lockers; backpacks and large bags must be checked.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 200 guests.

Castle barn (up to 200 people), castle barn with linden terrace or castle courtyard, Bistro Erlachhaus and Dachstock Erlachhaus (attic level); civil wedding venues in the entrance hall and salon via the civil registry office in Lenzburg. Available for rental from April to October.

Plan your visit