Bourg

En un regard

Le château en bref

The Bourg of Biel (Burg Biel) was the fortress of the prince-bishops of Basel, overlooking the town founded by Bishop Henry of Thun between 1225 and 1230 or so, as a stronghold against the older bastion of Nidau. According to the sources, the castle was built in the early thirteenth century, shortly before or shortly after the founding of the town, on the south-western flank of the first town wall, near the so-called Roman spring. The original layout is poorly known: a keep is presumed to have stood where the Archives Tower now is, a palas in the southern part of the site, a round tower (the future Cage Tower) closing off the complex to the west and, to the south, another tower that was initially open towards the interior. In 1367, a conflict with Bishop John of Vienne ended with the burning of the town and the destruction of the fortress. In 1405, the inhabitants were permitted to reuse its stones, on condition that they maintain the tower that remained standing. A new town hall was built in 1530, incorporating the Werkhaus and the Archives Tower. Today, the site, between Rosius Square and the Altgasse, is occupied by the town hall and by the former arsenal, now a theatre; the towers may only be viewed from the outside.