Blumenstein Castle

The Régence style house was built in 1725–28 for the governor Franz Heinrich von Stäffis-Mollondin in the center of a 20 hectares (49 acres) terraced park.

In 1847 Ludovika Franziska died and Blumenstein passed to her sister in law Charlotte Glutz-Wallier von St. Aubin.

Over next decades Joseph modernized the old building and installed central heating which changed it from a summer residence into a home that was comfortable year round.

[3][4] On 18 October 1928, the Basel architect HR Steuer bought the empty castle and the remaining garden for 400,000 Francs.

[4] Over the following two decades Fritz Hirt-Baumgartner and his wife Lucie attempted to buy back all the furnishings and outbuildings from Blumenstein.