The history of Switzerland, since the time of Ancient Rome, has been constantly associated with strife and wars. There were many who wanted to annex these lands to their possessions. The greatest interest in the alpine valleys arose in the Middle Ages, when they found themselves at the intersection of important trade routes. To this must be added the strong fragmentation of the country into small kingdoms.
This led to the fact that castles, fortresses and other defensive structures began to be erected almost everywhere in Switzerland. Many of them have survived to this day and are of great interest to tourists. The largest number of castles, fortresses and ruins in the country is preserved in the cantons of Bern, Graubünden and Basel-Land.
The most interesting medieval castles in Switzerland
List, photos with titles and a short description!
Chillon
Located on a cliff that rises slightly above Lake Geneva on the Swiss Riviera. The castle is connected to the coast by a bridge. The first mention of the Chillon castle dates back to 1160. Here was the residence of the Counts of Savoy. Today it is a complex consisting of 25 elements that were built at different times. The international highway E27, built on 50-meter pylons, runs 200 meters away.
Oberhofen
The castle is considered a cultural and historical heritage of Switzerland of national importance. Located in the canton of Bern, on the shores of Lake Thun. The construction of the castle was started by order of the Duke Walter von Eschenbach. The official date of construction is 1130. Numerous tourists and visitors are attracted by the well-preserved rich interior decoration, unusual architectural style, as well as the eventful history of the building.
Gruyere
It is considered one of the most popular and visited castles in Switzerland. Located in the Friborg canton, 35 km from Friborg. It is located on the top of a hill, and for a long time served only for defensive purposes (period XI-XVI centuries). After that, the castle gradually turns into a palace. Until the 16th century, 19 county dynasties lived in the castle. Currently, within the walls of this building there is a museum of the Friborg Canton.
Bellinzona castles
It is a complex of buildings that are located in the canton of Ticino, around Bellinzona. The construction of the first fortifications was carried out in the 1st century BC. Castalgrande and Montabello are connected by solid stone walls. The first castle rises above the valley, and Sasso Corbaro is located at some distance from them. All three structures have been included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000.
Aigle
Located in Aigle, canton Vaud. Initially, the castle served as a watchtower. Over time, the fortification expanded and gradually turned into a full-fledged fortress, which was the headquarters of the governor. And the castle itself becomes the administrative center. During the 18th and 19th centuries, it housed a homeless shelter, a prison and a city court. Since 1975, a wine museum has been opened on the territory of the castle.
Tarasp
The castle is uniquely located on a 100-meter cliff, overlooking a small village. Thanks to this, the attraction can be seen from afar. The first mention of the Tarasp castle dates back to 1040. And if outwardly it looks like an ordinary medieval fortress, then the interior is decorated in the style of the beginning of the 20th century.
Habsburg
The construction of the castle by Count Radbot was carried out in the period from 1020 to 1030. Located near the Are river, in the canton of Argau. Initially, the fortress served to defend the crossing of this river. Count Radbot is considered the progenitor of the famous and powerful monarchical dynasty of the Habsburgs, which held leading positions in Europe for a long time. After the restoration work carried out in 1979, the castle museum and restaurant are located here.
Thun
Located in the canton of Bern in the city of Thun. It was built in the XII century on the initiative of Duke Berthold V von Zeringen. For a long time, the castle served as the local administration of the canton. Since 1888, a historical museum was opened on its territory, as well as the court of the Bernese Oberland. In 2014, work was completed on capital reconstruction and restoration of the structure. A hotel and a restaurant are now open here.
Spitz
The castle is located in the canton of Bern, in the town of Spitz, and is one of its main attractions. The building was first mentioned in 933. The construction of the castle was carried out by order of Rudolph II King of Burgundy. It is located in a very picturesque area, on the shores of Lake Thun, at the foot of the mountains and is surrounded, like many centuries ago, by vineyards. An interesting fact, in 1476 the fortress withstood a 12-day siege by the troops of Charles the Bold.
Arenenberg
Located in the canton of Thurgau on the shores of Lake Constance. The castle is of great historical importance due to the fact that in the 19th century it belonged to the ex-queen of Holland Hortense de Beauharnais, and then to the Emperor of France Napoleon III. It was built in the 16th century and changed its owners many times. Currently, there is a Napoleon Museum, a winter garden and a landscape park, and various thematic exhibitions are periodically held.
Rapperswil
The castle was built in the XIII century by Rudolf Rapperswilski. The main purpose of the structure was to provide control over the waterway from Zurich. The castle is located in the southwestern part of the canton of St. Gallen. The castle complex is made in the form of a triangle, at the corners of which there are 3 towers for observation and defensive operations. Between the clock tower and bergfried there is a residential building, which was built in the 19th century.
Aarburg
The castle is located in the town of the same name in the canton of Argau. The first mentions in the chronicle as the estate of Count Freiburg date back to the beginning of the 13th century. The building was intended to control the trade routes that passed along the Aare River. In addition, the highest judicial body was located here. For a long time, the castle housed an arsenal, a barracks, a prison. Since 1972, the House of Education was located here, and then it was renamed into the House of Youth.
Neuchâtel
It is considered one of the oldest castles in Switzerland. Located in the canton of the same name next to Lake Neuchâtel. The construction of the building began more than a thousand years ago, in 1011, the castle was donated by Rudolph III to his wife. Some of the buildings are still used for administrative needs. The rest of the complex is accessible for visits: the knight's hall, living quarters, prison tower.
Cyburg
The castle originally belonged to the Counts of Cyburg, who were considered one of the most influential feudal lords in the country. Located in the canton of Zurich, just south of Winterthur, on the banks of the Toss River. "Castle of the Cows" is the translation of the name "Kwigeburg" from the German, under which the building was first mentioned in 1027. Since 1999, it has been a public museum.
Lenzburg castle
This is one of the most ancient and significant castles in the country. Located in Lenzburg, canton Aargau. The oldest buildings in the complex were built in the 11th century. The castle is located on a 100-meter hill. It was originally called Schloss Lenzburg. This is how the first mentions of the castle in 983 are found in the chronicles. At present, the central history museum is located on the territory of the complex.
Arvangen
It was built at the end of the 12th century and played an important strategic role for a long time. Served as a customs post and controlled traffic across the Aaru River. The castle complex has the shape of a horseshoe, and is surrounded by a powerful wall, a cascade of ponds, barrage ramparts and ditches, which greatly impeded the approach to it. The castle is included in the list of national monuments of the country.
Valera
It was built at the turn of the XII-XIII centuries in the city of Sion, canton Valais. The castle is located on a hill, and at one time served for defensive purposes. Today the ancient church of Our Lady of Valeria is located on its territory. After the visit of the Pope in 1984, it received the status of a basilica. It also houses one of the oldest organs in the world, built in 1435 and completely restored in 1954.
Saint-Mer
The castle is located in Lausanne, canton Vaud, on the Cité hill. Construction began in 1397 and completed in 1425. The castle is named in honor of Bishop Maria Avansha. From 1803 to the present day, it is the seat of the government of the canton of Vaud. Despite the large-scale work on major repairs and reconstruction, the interior of some rooms has been preserved in the spirit of the XIV-XV centuries.
Hallwil
The castle is located near the lake of the same name in the canton of Agrau. It was erected in the XII century by Count Hallwil, on specially poured islands. The structure was surrounded by a moat on three sides. Initially, the fortress was of great strategic importance due to its advantageous location. Later, she was repeatedly reconstructed and rebuilt. In the 16th century, a laboratory and a pharmacy were equipped on its territory.
Ears
Located in Lausanne, canton Vaud. The construction of the castle began in 1170, when the first tower was erected. It was destroyed in 1207, but then rebuilt. Since 1283, the castle has been the seat of the Lausanne bishops. For some time, there was a prison here. As a result of the fire, the structure was badly damaged. But thanks to the efforts of the architect Francis Isoz, the castle was rebuilt and restored, and a hotel now works in its place.
Laufen
The castle is located in Schaffhausen, canton Zurich, on the banks of the Rhine river. It was originally built for defensive purposes. It is first mentioned as the possession of the barons of Laufen in 858. The castle is well preserved, and its observation deck offers picturesque views of the Rhine Falls. Currently, the castle houses a museum, a restaurant and a souvenir shop.
Hunegg
The castle is located on the shores of Lake Thun. It was built between 1861-1863 by Baron von Parpart, and Heino Schmiden became the architect of the project. During its existence, the castle has repeatedly changed its owners. Today, there is a landscape park with exotic plants, many of which were planted back in 1860, an exposition dedicated to mountain railways, and an interior museum.
Schwarzenburg
The castle was built in the 16th century and is located in the city of the same name in the canton of Bern. Initially, the fortress was built to protect the city's borders. The area of the building is quite modest, nevertheless, the district administration of Schwarzenburg was located here for more than IV centuries. Today the territory of the castle is a popular tourist attraction; there is a restaurant and a mini-hotel here.
Burgdorf
The founder of the castle is Berchtold IV of the dukes of Saringen. Geographically located in the canton of Bern, and is the most significant landmark of the city of Burgdorf. This powerful fortress was first mentioned in 1130. The castle is considered one of the largest castles of the feudal era, and is included in the list of national monuments of the country. Currently, the premises of Burgdorf houses the local administration and the ethnographic museum.
Diesenberg
The construction of the castle was completed in the 12th century. It is located in the Falkenflow Mountains, on a sheer cliff. On the site of the old feudal fortress, new structures were built in 1546 and 1668. The castle in the style of Louis XIV has been perfectly preserved to this day, and is the property of the Wattenville dynasty. Tourists can visit it from April to October. In the garden, concerts are periodically held during jazz festivals, and in the building itself there are festive events.
Schadau
Situated in a picturesque location on the shores of Lake Thun, canton Bern. The construction of the castle was carried out in the middle of the 19th century. The architecture combines Neo-Renaissance and Tudor Gothic styles. Until 1925, the building was privately owned. Now the castle belongs to the state, and there is an excellent restaurant and a museum of culinary art on its territory. The windows offer unique views of the Alps and the Eiger.
Stockalper
It is the largest castle in Switzerland. Located in the city of Brig, deep in the Alpine mountains, in the canton of Valais. Construction was carried out in the period from 1658 to 1678. During this period, it was the largest private property owned by Kaspar von Stockalper, a successful businessman, politician and lawyer. One of the features of the castle is the discrepancy between the architectural style of that period, as well as the combination of completely different directions.
Gottlieben
Located on the shores of Lake Constance, in the canton of Thurgau. The castle was built by Bishop Eberhard von Waldburg in 1251. On his instructions, a wooden bridge was erected across the Rhine. In the 19th century, Prince Louis Napoleon lived in Gottlieben for some time. From 1950 to 2012, the famous Swiss opera singer Lisa Della Casa lived here.
Egenstorf
The castle is located in the city of the same name, in the canton of Bern. When the structure was built is unknown, there is no exact data. But there is documentary evidence that the building was owned by Berthold II, who died in 1111. The castle has repeatedly changed its owners, and has been repaired and modified several times. So in 1720, it was reconstructed in the Baroque style. Today there is a museum of the interior of the period of the XVII-XIX centuries.
Nyon
The castle is distinguished by the white color of its walls. The construction of the structure, on the shores of Lake Geneva in the canton of Vaud, was carried out in the second half of the 16th century. For a long time, the castle was the main residence of one of the branches of the Savoy dynasty. Since 1860, a historical museum has been opened on its territory. Today there is also a porcelain museum.
