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Ruines d'Arconciel

Site Canton of Fribourg · District: Sarine · Uninhabited site (municipality of Bois-d'Amont)
Part of the municipality of Bois-d'Amont
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Must-see historical sites Remains Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Ruines d'Arconciel

The place enters history in 1082 as the « castrum Arconciacum ». The Latin name, still unexplained, has been taken up by the association that looks after the ruins.[2][8]

Founding of Ruines d'Arconciel

The castle town sits on a rocky spur hemmed in by a bend of the Sarine, whose sheer cliffs served as a natural defence and from which the fords could be controlled. This crossing long marked the language border between the German-speaking right bank and the French-speaking left bank. The town dates back to the 11th century. In 1082 Emperor Henry IV entrusted it, with its estate, to Conon of Oltingen, who later built the fortress of Illens on the opposite bank. Arconciel and Illens formed a single lordship until 1475.[1][2][4][5]

History of Ruines d'Arconciel

Neolithic. The site has been occupied almost without a break for about 7'000 years.[4]

1082. A charter of Henry IV grants the « castrum Arconciacum » and its estate to Conon of Oltingen.[1][2][8]

12th century. Conon has Illens built opposite, then cedes the lordship to the knight Ulrich, of the house of Glâne. It later passes to the counts of Neuchâtel and their Aarberg branch.[1][2]

12th-13th centuries. The castle and its town are at their height.[4]

Early 13th century. The western tower, about 9 m square, has two residential floors. Its twin window with a monolithic lintel and colonnette dates from this period. A fire later ends its use as a residence.[5]

1251. Ulrich of Aarberg acknowledges the overlordship of Peter II of Savoy over the town.[1][2]

1271. The town receives a charter of liberties modelled on the Handfeste of Fribourg.[2][8]

1292. The lordship is sold to a burgher of Fribourg, which holds back the town's growth.[1][2]

Second half of the 14th century. An inner tower is built inside the western tower, whose openings are walled up, and three small loopholes for firearms are cut on the second floor.[5]

1377. The castle and the houses of the town are in ruins.[1][2]

First half of the 15th century. The already decaying town is abandoned (by the middle of the century at the latest). Its dressed stones go into country churches and buildings in the town of Fribourg.[3][4][5]

1475. During the Burgundian Wars, Bern and Fribourg storm the Illens-Arconciel estate. Arconciel joins the Old Lands from 1475 (or in 1484).[1][2][8]

16th-19th centuries. The site belongs to the parish of Arconciel, serves as a quarry and then becomes part of a farm estate. The ruins later pass to the municipality of Arconciel.[1][2][4]

1975. Since this year, the site has yielded more than 400 objects.[5]

2018. Heritage enthusiasts found the Arconciacum association, which leads the conservation of the ruins.[4]

2022-2023. From November 2022 to January 2023, forest ranger Yvan Gendre and a Forêts-Sarine team, working with the Archaeological Service, fell about 200 m³ of timber to clear the towers. The logs are carried out by hand, in some forty trips.[4]

2023-2024. One corner of the tower is consolidated with about 6.6 m³ of lime concrete, and nets cover three quarters of the tower against falling stones.[6]

2024. From 15 April to 30 September, the Archaeological Service, the University of Burgundy and the association excavate the town. They uncover a forge, pottery, stove tiles, iron arrowheads and pieces of chain mail.[5][7]

Historic sites in Ruines d'Arconciel

Castle towers. The entrance tower, of molasse and tuff rubble, the watchtower, with a molasse base, and the western tower have been visible again since 2023.[4]

Spur of the town. The site covers about 7'000 m², at around 640 m above sea level. The troughs cut into the rock to carry the houses can be seen, along with three standing sections of building and a few fragments of masonry.[3][5]

Remains in Ruines d'Arconciel

Houses of the town. Two rows of houses lined the spur. Erosion of the molasse cliffs has probably carried away part of the outer walls, and the roots of spruces, beeches and pines have damaged the ruins.[3][4]

Forge and building. The 2024 excavations uncovered a forge in the centre of the town and a building of about 15 m by 8 m, below the forest track.[5][7]

Painted niche. A niche cut into the molasse keeps traces of red and white painted plaster.[5]

Sources

  1. Association Arconciacum, « Histoire » du bourg castral d'Arconciel
  2. Association Arconciacum, « Médiéval » (bourg castral)
  3. Fribourg Région, « Arconciacum » (bourg médiéval d'Arconciel)
  4. Forêts-Sarine, « Le Château d'Arconciel mis en lumière » (juin 2023)
  5. Leana Catalfamo et Marion Liboutet (Service archéologique de l'État de Fribourg), « Arconciel FR, Vers les Châteaux », Chroniques archéologiques suisses, ArcheoBase (2025)
  6. Association Arconciacum, « Le projet » (restauration de la tour)
  7. Association Arconciacum, page d'accueil (fouilles de 2024)
  8. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Arconciel (commune) » (Marianne Rolle), version du 10.06.2021

Other villages near Ruines d'Arconciel

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