Wasserschloss Steinen

[3] The year 1563[4] carved into the entrance door and a window jamb on the south side testify to this conversion.

He immediately withdrew from the purchase when he found out about the massive debts that weighed on the construction.

[5] In 1597 the land clerk and privy councilor, Joseph Hettler,[6] owned the castle as well as the associated estate and mill.

When Hettler became chancellor of Ernest Frederick in 1599, he had to change his place of residence and sold his castle in Steinen to Christoph Daniel of Anweil, who was mentioned as the owner in 1605 and 1618.

[10] In 1697 the castle was sold by Frederick VII to Friedrich de Rougemont, the mayor of La Chaux-de-Fonds and received a letter of liberty for himself and his three sisters, which granted him privileges and extensive exemption from taxes.

The widow Rose de Rougemont wanted to sell the castle to a citizen of Basel in 1715, but the margravial administration objected and bought back the property in 1716.

Knauß got because of the various necessary repairs and the low yields - For centuries, most of the owners and leaseholders of the castle estate complained about that - increasingly in financial difficulties.

After no general tenant or buyer could be found at the desired conditions, the margravial guardianship government under Prince Karl August proceeded to auction the individual parts of the estate[12] in November 1745, which went to 36 citizens.

[13] The planning office Artifex,[14] which has already accompanied construction measures at the Goetheanum in Dornach was responsible for the conception of the renovation.