Switzerland - Chillon Castle

The medieval Chillon Castle - located on a small rock island - on the shores of Lake Geneva near Montreux is considered being the most visited monument in Switzerland. The current castle is the result of several centuries of building, adaptations, renovations and restorations.

The first written mention of the castle appears in 1150. At that time, the Counts of Savoy controlled the castle, as well as the path between the lake and the mountains, which gave them a strategic location on the route leading from the north to the south. In the 13th century, the Counts furthered their conquests of the territory of Vaud until their domination was extended over approximately two-thirds of the territory, which makes up today’s French-speaking Switzerland. Chillon Castle was extended at that time and was transformed it into a summer residence for the Counts.

The Swiss, or more precisely, the Bernese, conquered the Pays de Vaud. The conquest was completed once they took-over Chillon Castle in 1536 after a three-week siege. For more than 260 years, the castle retained its role as a fortress, arsenal, and prison.

At the time of the Vaudois Revolution, the Bernese left the castle and the patriots of Vevey and Montreux occupied the fortress in January 1798. The castle became national property during the Vaudois Revolution and belongs since then to the Canton of Vaud, from the date of its foundation in 1803. Ther building was first used to stock weapons and ammunitions and as a State prison.

At the end of the 19th century a major restoration campaign was launched, which is still ongoing. The castle is open for visits and tours.