Burgruine Grünenberg

Melchnau, Switzerland, Switzerland

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Burgruine Grünenberg is a medieval castle ruin complex on a hill above Melchnau in Switzerland's Canton of Bern, forming the heart of the Barons of Grünenberg's power in the Oberaargau during the High Middle Ages alongside neighboring Schnabelburg and Langenstein castles.

Built over a 10th-11th century wooden fort with stone structures from the 12th century, including a curtain wall, donjon, residences, chapel, and well, it endured wars like the 1383-84 Burgdorferkrieg and a 1444 Bernese siege before abandonment in the 16th century.

Excavated and preserved in the 1940s, 1990s, and 1998 with a protected chapel floor of 1270 relief tiles, the site now features marked trails and modern shelters, recognized as a key Swiss heritage landmark.