Porrentruy Castle
Jura
Porrentruy Castle, located in the Swiss Canton of Jura, is a historically significant fortress originally constructed in the 13th century by the Counts of Montbéliard. The castle features the prominent Réfous Tower, dating from around 1271, which stands 32 meters tall with thick walls tapering towards the top. The castle complex has a triangular layout and includes notable structures such as the Hahnenturm, a four-story round tower with vaulted ceilings and a central pillar, and buildings from the 16th to 18th centuries that served as the residence, chancery, and pavilion for the prince-bishops of Basel. From 1527 to 1792, it was the exile residence for the prince-bishops following their expulsion from Basel during the Reformation. The castle endured several fires and sieges, including damage during the Thirty Years' War and a major fire in 1697. Since 1979, it has housed the judicial authorities of the Canton of Jura. Visitors can explore the inner courtyard featuring a deep 17th-century well and admire the architectural elements that reflect its long history as a religious and administrative center.
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Tip: The castle is open to visitors on weekdays, making these the best times for a quieter experience. Booking tickets in advance is recommended during peak seasons. Visitors should check opening hours ahead of time as they may vary. Discounts may be available for groups, seniors, and students. Wear comfortable footwear due to uneven surfaces and stairs within the castle.
Interesting facts
- •The Réfous Tower is 32 meters tall and has walls up to 4.5 meters thick at the base.
- •The castle has a 50-meter-deep well dating from the late 17th century in its inner courtyard.
- •The Hahnenturm (Tour du Coq) features four floors with a central pillar and vaulted ceilings, with windows dating to 1756.
- •The castle was repeatedly besieged and damaged during the Thirty Years' War by Swedish forces.
- •It served as the exile residence for the prince-bishops of Basel for over 250 years after their expulsion from the city during the Reformation.
History
The site of Porrentruy Castle was originally a royal estate in the early Middle Ages, taken over by the Counts of Montbéliard around 1150.
The castle was built in the early 13th century on an older fortification and came into the possession of the bishops of Basel in 1270.
After a fire in 1355 and several ownership changes, it became the residence of the prince-bishops in exile from Basel in 1524 following the Reformation.
The castle was extensively renovated in 1588 under Prince-Bishop Jakob Christoph Blarer von Wartensee.
It suffered damage during the Thirty Years' War and a major fire in 1697.
The last prince-bishop left in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars.
The castle subsequently served various civic functions including an old people's home, orphanage, and agricultural school before becoming the seat of Jura's courts in 1979.
Place Guide
RĂ©fous Tower1271
The oldest and most dominant structure of the castle, built around 1271. The tower is 32 meters high with massive walls that taper towards the top, offering panoramic views from the battlements.
Hahnenturm (Tour du Coq)16th century
A robust round tower with four floors featuring a central pillar and vaulted ceilings. The windows were added in 1756. It formed part of the southeast corner of the chancery building.
Inner Courtyard and WellLate 17th century
The castle’s buildings are arranged around an inner courtyard that contains a 50-meter-deep well dating from the late 17th century, essential for the castle’s water supply during sieges.
Pavilion Princess Christine16th-18th century
Named after Maria Christina of Saxony, aunt of Louis XVI and abbess of Remiremont, this pavilion was part of the residential complex for the prince-bishops.
Chancery and Residence Buildings16th-18th centuries
Two- and three-story buildings built mainly in the 16th to 18th centuries serving administrative and residential functions for the prince-bishops during their exile.
