Neues Schloss Oberdiessbach, Oberdiessbach/Schweiz

Client: Martine and Sigmund von Wattenwyl, CH-Oberdiessbach
Concept: Martine von Wattenwyl
Installation: Gerber AG, CH-Münsingen

The New Oberdiessbach Castle was built between 1668 and 1671 by Albrecht von Wattenwyl (1617 - 1671), a colonel in the French service under King Louis XIV. The country residence is considered to be one of the most elegant of the French late Renaissance in the Bernese region of Switzerland. It was built next to the ‘Old Castle’ from 1546 to the north, which had served as the ancestral seat of the Lords of Diesbach for a century. Martine and Sigmund von Wattenwyl took over Oberdiessbach Castle in 1994 and have since been the twelfth generation of their family to look after the estate. Since they took over, they have carried out extensive renovations and put their heart and soul into maintaining the legacy of their ancestors and preserving the castle grounds for future generations.

The Neuchâtel ‘maistre architecte’ Jonas Favre was involved in the construction of the New Castle, which has fortunately remained unchanged. The building represents a special type in its layout: the exterior is clearly divided into three tracts, of which the centre one, the staircase, forms the connection with the other two.

For this impressive staircase, Ruckstuhl was commissioned to produce carpet runners to match the historical context. The von Wattenwyl family chose the Manila sisal carpet in the colour 40161 schlamm, with its classic weave harmonising perfectly with the historic building structure. The sisal fibres obtained from the agave plant of the same name imbue the carpet with a fine sheen and give it the elegance required in such a prestigious location. Carpet runners are not only an aesthetic highlight for stairs and corridors, but also make a significant contribution to sound insulation and slip resistance.

Ruckstuhl has been dedicated to processing natural fibres into high-quality carpets and rugs since 1881. Only first-class yarns are used, which are submitted to strict quality controls. In production, heavy weaving looms constructed especially for Ruckstuhl guarantee optimum weaving density and weft accuracy. This elaborate technique results in a compact and dense carpet structure as well as a high weight and corresponding longevity of Ruckstuhl carpets. Custom-made products, such as the sisal runners for Oberdiessbach Castle, are sewn to special dimensions in Ruckstuhl's in-house confection department with the highest level of craftsmanship, even in special shapes, extra lengths or extra widths. The professional installation and on-site sewing work was carried out by Gerber AG in Münsingen.

Photos: Markus Beyeler, CH-Bern

New Oberdiessbach Castle
www.schloss-oberdiessbach.ch