Brugg
Aargau

Brugg

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In Altenburg Castle in Brugg, you can literally feel the historic flair of the Roman fort and the subsequent Habsburg knights' room.

Brugg

Aargau

You're sure to love the place where Romans and Habsburgs once lived. It's not just Brugg's surroundings that bear witness to an incredible past – as you'll see on tours of the nearby Vindonissa park, the amphitheatre and Habsburg Castle. Indeed, you'll be spending the night in a historically significant spot within the venerable walls of our youth hostel! You'll discover more regional attractions on the bridge walk across the area where the Aare, Reuss and Limmat rivers converge, or on bicycle tours through the vineyards. The historic old town or the large garden in front of the hostel are the best places to enjoy a few lazy hours.

[Translate to Englisch:]
  • Brugg Youth Hostel
    Im Hof 11
    5200 Brugg
    Switzerland
  • Check-in: 17:00 - 20:00 Check-out: 08:00 - 09:45
Simple

Opening times

Types 2024 2025
Opening dates    
Opening dates 15.03.2024 - 13.10.2024 14.03.2025 - 12.10.2025
Check In/Out    
Check-in 17:00 - 20:00 17:00 - 20:00
Check-out 08:00 - 09:45 08:00 - 09:45
Reception times    
Mon to Fri: 08:00 - 10:00
17:00 - 20:00
08:00 - 10:00
17:00 - 20:00
Sat and Sun: 08:00 - 10:00
17:00 - 20:00
08:00 - 10:00
17:00 - 20:00
Meal times    
Breakfast buffet 07:30 - 09:00 07:30 - 09:00
Dinner 18:00 - 19:30 18:00 - 19:30

How to find us

By train:

By train from Zurich in 20, from Basel in 50 and from Aarau in 20 minutes. 20 minutes' walk from Brugg railway station.

By car:

Parking spaces are available in the car park for the indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Room categories

  • Number of beds
  • Double rooms
  • Family rooms
  • Shared rooms

Infrastructure

Prices (in CHF) and availability

  • Breakfast buffet   incl.
    Lunch on request CHF 19.50
    Dinner on request CHF 19.50
    Dinner for children ages 2 to 5 years on request CHF 8.50
    Dinner for children ages 6 to 12 years on request CHF 14.50
    Packed lunch on request CHF 10.00

    Yoummi – the catering option from Swiss Youth Hostels

    • No taxes
    • The Hostel Card Standard is included in the price of accommodation and is valid from the day of arrival to the day of departure.
    • You have the option of purchasing a Hostel Card Premium and benefit from cheaper accommodation prices in all Swiss youth Hostels. More information about the Hostel Card Premium
    • Groups (minimum of 10 people) are advised to buy a Hostel Card Premium (personal: CHF 55.– / non-personal: CHF 99.–)
    • Find our children's prices on the family page
    • Group rates for children ages 2 to 5 years, a flat rate of CHF 15.–; from ages 6 to 12 years, accommodation prices / group prices apply
    • Accommodation of dogs on request CHF 15.- per dog and night, without food
    • Voluntary climate protection contribution CHF 0.30
    • Rates are subject to change
    • All rates in CHF
  • Schloss Altenburg

    Schloss Altenburg

    Near the former Roman legion camp in Vindonissa, at a point where, from the south, the River Aare is forced eastwards into a narrow rocky bed, a small castle was built in the Late Roman period. The origins of its curtain wall – up to seven metres high in places – date back to the 4th century. Later, in the Early Middle Ages, the remains of the small castle are said to have been a bishop’s castle and then even the seat of the early Habsburgs.

    The Romans

    As the first indicators of the origins of the Altenburg, there are finds of earlier origin which were re-used and incorporated during the construction of the walls up to four metres thick. These would all appear to be connected with nearby Vindonissa. For example, an inscribed tablet from the year 260 refers to the reconstruction of the walls at Vindonissa. An even earlier fragment was once part of a horseman’s gravestone dating from the 1st century. In view of the embedded finds, the defensive walls clearly appear to be of Late Roman origin.

    According to the chronicles of Sigmund Fry (1530), the Altenburg was constructed to protect a ferry crossing to the opposite bank of the River Aare. Other theories claimed that the construction of the Altenburg was intended to replace the destroyed Vindonissa. At the beginning of the 19th century, researchers even thought that the Altenburg was a former bridgehead.

    Archaeological excavations have uncovered evidence of four earlier round towers. However, there is a reason to believe that the einceinte had up to ten round towers. It has not been possible to form a clear picture of the inner buildings. The surviving buildings, which have retained and integrated the ancient curtain wall, are all of later origin. It is the tallest Roman stonework still preserved in Switzerland.

    The original Habsburg castle

    The first written reference is to an «Altinburch» or old castle, in 1254. No documentary evidence exists of the early Habsburgs living on the Altenburg at the start of the last millennium, nor of a presumed one-time bishop’s residence. The first connection with the original Habsburg castle was made in the mid-17th century by the chronicler Matthäus Merian. In the late 19th century, Father Martin Kiem from Muri Monastery attributed the documented surname of the early Habsburger «Kanzellin von Altenburg» to the Altenburg near Brugg. Evidence of this might lie in one of
    Altenburg’s two known coats of arms, which depicted a red lion wearing a crown.

    The «Little Castle» The building which is today home to the youth hostel probably dates only from the 16th century. It is known as the «Schlösschen» or Little Castle on account of its tower-house shape and twin crow-stepped gables. On the first two floors, the Roman wall makes up the western side. In 1938, the Pro Vindonissa Society and the Aargau Historical Association acquired the disused buildings and had them converted into a youth hostel. After a delay caused by the war, the «Schlössli Altenburg» was able to open as a youth hostel in 1941.

Member benefits

  • Accommodation at a special price for members
  • Network of more than 50 Swiss Youth Hostels
  • Partner discounts and many more benefits
  • With a membership with Swiss Youth Hostels, you enjoy additional benefits

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