Bernau Castle, Medieval castle ruin in Leibstadt, Switzerland

Bernau Castle is a medieval fortification on a hillside near Leibstadt in Switzerland, with foundation walls and portions of outer structures still standing. The remains can be explored across the site and provide a sense of the original size and layout of the fortress.

Bernau Castle probably dates to the 11th century, but the name Bernowa is first documented in 1157. In 1415 the border between the County of Baden and Austrian territory ran through its bergfried, so the owners served two lords. The castle was destroyed in the Swabian War in 1499 and rebuilt. In 1844 a fire left only the walls of the main tower and residence.

The dual chapel on the grounds dates from the 17th century and now serves as the cemetery chapel for the community of Leibstadt. It maintains religious importance for local residents and shows how old structures took on new purposes over time.

The site is accessible by marked hiking trails from Leibstadt and works well as a short walk from town. Information panels on location explain the medieval structure and help visitors understand what they are looking at.

In 1415 a border line between Baden and Austria ran directly through one of the castle towers, showing how complex territorial control was during Switzerland's expansion. This detail illustrates how tangled the region's political situation had become.