The castle was first mentioned in a document in 1239 as “Castrum Birseke superior.” The Alsatian monastery of Niedermünster was the owner of the castle. In the same year, it passed to the Bishop of Basel. In 1245, Birseck Castle was granted as a feudal fief to the Reich family, thus receiving its new name, “Reichenstein Castle.” After the great Basel earthquake of 1356, the family restored the castle. In the 17th century, the castle fell into disrepair, though it remained in the possession of the Reich family. In 1813, the castle, along with its woodlands, was sold to the Basel silk manufacturer Johann Forcat.
In 1932, the castle ruins, along with the surrounding forest, were sold to Dr. J. Brodbeck, then director of Ciba. He had the defensive tower reconstructed by the renowned castle expert and architect Eugen Probst. In 1938, Mr. Brodbeck established a family foundation. This was converted into a public-law foundation in 1972.
Reichenstein Castle is a designated historic landmark.
Rent:
The castle can be rented for up to 50 people.
(Content from https://www.baselland.ch/politik-und-behorden/direktionen/bau-und-umweltschutzdirektion/raumplanung/kantonale-denkmalpflege/inventare/ikd/arlesheim/arlesh-reichenst)
