Ruine Schalberg

Ruine Schalberg is a castle complex with archaeological remains perched on a rocky ridge above the narrow Aesch Kluser gorge. The site contains a medieval upper section, a Neolithic cave chamber, and two man-made moats that form an intricate defensive layout.

The castle was built between 1250 and 1300 by the Basel nobility Schaler family as a regional stronghold. The 1356 earthquake damaged the structure, and over time it fell into disrepair and became the ruins visible today.

The name comes from the Schaler family who built the castle on this ridge. Today visitors walk through layers of different time periods, from Neolithic caves to medieval walls, making this a place where prehistoric and feudal histories stand side by side.

Wear sturdy shoes as the path is steep and rocky with uneven footing throughout. Bring a flashlight if you plan to explore the cave section, as it requires entering a dark chamber on the main route.

The Neolithic cave chamber beneath the castle was used thousands of years before the medieval fortress was built, revealing how humans occupied this rocky ridge across millennia. This ancient cave transforms the site into a record of deep human habitation spanning multiple ages.