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Castles cost enormous sums of money to maintain. They can become a great burden for the owners.
Life in a castle is a matter of the heart. It’s a life for the castle. Nobody knows this better than the von Tscharner family. The von Tscharners have owned Reichenau Castle in Graubünden for seven generations.
Reichenau Castle in the canton of Graubünden
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Legend: Reichenau Castle was built in the 17th century by the episcopal ministerial familySchaustein. It has been owned by the von Tscharner family – with interruptions – for seven generations. SRF
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Legend: Everyone in the von Tscharner family is pulling in the same direction: together they are looking for solutions to manage the castle. SRF
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Legend: Son Johann-Baptista von Tscharner took over his father’s wine-growing business at the castle. SRF
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Legend: Francesca von Tscharner regularly organizes events in the large halls of the castle. SRF
Today the castle is a family business: father, son and two daughters pitch in to keep the castle. Maintenance costs enormous amounts of money. “We sometimes groan under the burden,” says family father Gian-Battista von Tscharner.
Restoration costs money
The family is currently still living off the last major renovation, which the family carried out in the 1970s for 42 million francs. Nevertheless, small work needs to be done every year – such as improvements to the roof for up to 15,000 francs.
According to estimates, there are around 900 castles and palaces throughout Switzerland. The federal government considers about 500 to be nationally and regionally important and would protect them in the event of a disaster or emergency. The majority of these castles are in the cantons of Vaud, Thurgau and Bern.
It is unclear how many of these are privately owned and how many belong to the public sector. But one thing is certain: they cost. Many of the castles are considered architectural monuments. How much is spent on renovations on average depends heavily on the property. Compared to other listed buildings, they stand out because of their investment volume – an average of 188,000 francs per year.
Castle sales in the canton of Bern
Like the von Tscharner family, the canton of Bern is also groaning under the financial burden of its castles. That’s why he’s been trying to sell some of them for years.
Münchenwiler Castle is for sale
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Legend: Münchenwiler Castle sits enthroned on a snowy hill, seemingly empty. However, preparations for a seminar are taking place inside. SRF
The bidding competition for Münchenwiler Castle is currently underway. Every year, the canton of Bern pumps 750,000 francs into the castle for renovations. A tenant runs a restaurant and a seminar hotel there.
The price for Münchenwiler Castle is 2.5 million francs and an annual interest of 50,000 francs. “That is relatively little, because the castle is of great value,” says government councilor Christoph Neuhaus. The canton had estimated the market price at just under four million francs, but then lowered the price. Negotiations are currently underway with four interested parties.
The canton of Bern actually wanted to raise 54 million francs by selling eight castles. But only around 15 million flowed into the coffers. The canton had to lower its price expectations.
The canton is trying to sell its castles
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Legend: Burgdorf Castle: The canton dedicated it to a foundation in 2017. Today it is a museum and a youth hostel. SRF
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Legend: Trachselwald Castle: The canton of Bern would like to sell it by 2025. It is currently being used temporarily by Emmental Tours. SRF
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Legend: Münchenwiler Castle: The canton of Bern is selling it under building rights for 2.5 million francs and an annual interest of 50,000 francs. SRF
The canton donated some castles – such as Burgdorf Castle or Laupen Castle – free of charge to foundations that maintain and manage the buildings. No buyers could be found.
Castles as spiritual value
“The Swiss castle market is thin,” says real estate expert Donato Sconamiglio. Castles are not investment properties for private investors. Some of these buildings are pure money guzzlers. “For example, Trachselwald Castle: you can’t live there, it’s too much like a castle.” The following applies: the more “Schlössli”-like the property, the easier it is to sell.
Castles have, above all, a spiritual value.
The value of the castles cannot be measured in francs or centimes, says Jürg Schweizer, former monument conservator for the canton of Bern: “Castles have, above all, a spiritual and identification value for the population.”
It would be impossible to imagine the Canton of Vaud without Chillon Castle as a landmark. The culture and tourism industry also benefits from the fact that such monuments shape the appearance of numerous places.
Legend: Chillon Castle is considered a landmark of the canton of Vaud. Source: Keystone
Reichenau Castle has also shaped the townscape of Tamins for years and the von Tscharner family hopes it stays that way. Son Johann-Baptista took over his father’s wine-growing business at the castle. Daughter Francesca organizes events here and Marina runs an association that manages money for renovations. The income generated flows back into the castle. The goal: to break even within the next few years.