Lehnflue, prehistoric and Roman hilltop settlement / medieval castle

En un regard

Le château en bref

The Lehnflue (Lehnfluh) is a limestone ridge about one kilometre long, with cliffs reaching 80 m, which borders the southern exit of the Balsthal–Oensingen gorge (cluse) to the west, between the cantons of Solothurn (Oensingen) and Bern (Niederbipp). It is one of the most important archaeological sites at the southern foot of the Jura, at the entrance to the passage into the Jura. Finds attest to occupation from the Bronze Age onwards, then in the Hallstatt and La Tène periods, in the Roman era (pottery of the 2nd and 3rd centuries, numerous coins suggesting a cultic use) and in the early Middle Ages. On the ridge, remains of walls from at least four medieval fortifications survive, known as the Erlinsburgen: an earlier Erlinsburg to the west, then a middle one, a later one and a more remote one. The builders and construction date of the middle and lower fortifications are not documented; the earlier fortification, attributed to the Frohburg family, was modernised in the 13th century with a shield wall and was occupied until the 14th century. An archaeological and topographical survey carried out in 2003–2006 by the archaeological services of Solothurn and Bern made it possible to map the whole site, while clandestine excavations and metal detecting have caused heavy losses. The site is listed as a cultural property of national importance.