Chillon Castle

Chillon Castle is the most famous castle in all of Switzerland with a vibrant and rich history. It seems that nature itself has prepared such a noticeable and convenient place for him. The castle complex is located on a cliff in Lake Geneva, which rises almost at the shore. That is, in fact, the fortress stands on the water, with a bridge connecting it to the shore.

The history of Chillon Castle

Naturally, such a strategically advantageous location was noticed by people very early. Historians suggest that during the Roman Empire, there was a guard port on the site of the castle. In proof of this theory, during excavations on the ground, coins of that time were found.

The first mention of Chillon Castle is found in the chronicles of the 12th century, but most likely, the construction of the fortress began much earlier in the 9th-10th centuries. And already in the 12th century, the building became the residence of the Counts of Savoy. From that time on, the territory expanded and strengthened, and by the 15th century it had assumed the appearance that can still be observed today.

At that time, the Chillon Castle was used as a prison. The family's enemies were kept in high vaulted basements, as well as sorcerers and witches, who were also burned at the stake in the fortress courtyards.

In the 16th century, after the siege, Chillon Castle passed to the Bernese Protestants and belonged to them until the end of the 18th century. During this time, it was used as a storage facility for weapons and provisions, as a base for the Bern navy, and a prison functioned in the basement, as before. By the end of the 19th century, the Chillon Castle Association was carrying out a global reconstruction and the castle received the status and significance of a historical monument. It opens to the general public as a medieval fortress museum.

Attractions of the Chillon Castle

For almost the entire time of its existence, the castle's dungeons were used as prisons. Political prisoners were held here, for example, the reformer Francois Bonivard, who later became the prototype of Byron's "Prisoner of Chillon." In earlier times, suspected witches became prisoners of the dungeon, they were also victims of torture and often ended their lives at the stake or in the waters of Lake Geneva.

Today, the cellars of the Chillon castle, with the help of installations, give a colorful idea of what a medieval prison looked like, as well as barrels of wine are now stored in the dungeon. Many rooms in the castle are well preserved, one of the most interesting is the Count's bedroom. The short bed by modern standards attracts the attention of tourists. In those days, it was considered useful to sleep half-sitting, according to another version, only the dead sleep lying down.

Another attraction is the dining room of the Counts of Savoy. The room has a huge fireplace decorated with paintings, antique ornaments on the walls, and an antique chandelier above the table.

A visit to Chillon Castle is a must-see tourist destination for all lovers of antiquity, castles and the Middle Ages.