visita al Castillo Fortaleza Chillón en Suiza

visita al Castillo Fortaleza Chillón en Suiza

Hello Friends, today we will visit El Castillo medieval fortress of Chillón. And through a journey through time on this formidable fortress, we will learn more about the history and origin of Switzerland. It was built on a rocky oval limestone island, bathed by Lake Geneva, between Montreux and Villeneuve.

Its name comes from an ancient language in which the word “Chillon” means rocky platform. The Castle is located in a strategic position: it closes the passage between the Riviera of the canton of Vaud, which gives access to Germany and France, and the valley of the Rhône, which allows you to reach Italy.

And like any good Castle, it has its moat, drawbridge and watchtowers. Heavily fortified in its orientation on the north façade and magnificently decorated and adorned on its south façade with views of the lake. Where the nobility resided.

Although it is a Magnificent Castle, the high humidity and cold made it habitable only in summer. So throughout history it was continually used as a warehouse and also as a famous prison, which we will talk about later. with Gothic vaults reminiscent of the great Gothic cathedrals of the 13th century.

The Origin of the Castle dates back to a military site in Roman times. The Castrum Quilonis. The fortress, with a double wooden palisade, had the natural protection of the islet. Although the history of the castle is marked by three major periods: the Savoys, the Bernese sheriffs and the State of Vaud.

The first written mention of the castle dates back to the 12th century. Being owned by the Savoy family. The Savoys settled in the Pays de Vaud (representing two-thirds of present-day French-speaking Switzerland) and created a network of fortifications around Lake Geneva during the 12th and 13th centuries to extend their influence.

They also controlled the crossing of the nearby city of Villeneuve used by travelers, merchants and pilgrims heading to Rome through the Great Saint Bernard Pass. In this way, the counts of Savoy obtained income by establishing a toll in exchange for security and maintenance of the road.

For 4 centuries, the fortification belonged to the Savoy family and thanks to its strategic position and its numerous defensive systems it did not suffer any attack during that time.

However, it did suffer the ravages of the plague during the year 1348. Being one of the most tragic years in the History of the Castle. Times changed for the Savoy family during the 16th century. It was in debt and with numerous enemies and could no longer govern its extensive territory.

A powerful offensive by the confederates of Bern invaded the Country of Vaud during the year 1536 and one by one, the fortifications of the Savoy family fell. Chillón being the family’s last remaining bastion north of Lake Geneva.

The fortification was besieged for 3 weeks by land by the Bernese confederates and by sea by the Geneva fleet and for the first time attacked with guns and cannons. Several towers being destroyed. The conquest of the castle was an event, since the fortress was thought to be impregnable.

For more than 250 years, the castle maintained its role as a fortress, warehouse, arsenal and prison under the command of a Sheriff of Bern. The castle, partially damaged by fire during the attack, was renovated, but remained very unwelcoming.

From the 17th century onwards it served as the main port on Lake Geneva for the Bernese war fleet. And in its last years under the rule of the Berne confederation it was a hospital for war wounded.

At the end of the 18th century, the presence and influence of Berne was so weak that it could not contain the will of the country of Vaud to achieve independence. Citizens of the neighboring cities of Vevey and Montreux peacefully occupied the Castle and proclaimed the Independence of Vaud.

However, there were a few years of uncertainty, due to the presence of Napoleonic troops until 1802. In fact, it was under the Act of Mediation of Napoleon Bonaparte, when the 19 cantons of Switzerland were officially recognized. And the castle became part of the new canton of Vaud, in 1803.

During this stage, the medieval castles, in full decline as military fortresses, caused great fascination among writers and poets. Provoking a romantic movement that enthusiastically rediscovered the Middle Ages.

The English poet Lord Byron, during his visit in the summer of 1816, was inspired by the story of the prisoner François Bonivard (a priest opposed to the Catholics of Savoy) to write his poem The Prisoner of Chillón that made the castle famous throughout the world.

And later other great artists fell under the influence of this great strength such as Rousseau, Victor Hugo, William Turner, Leo Tolstoy or even Salvador Dalí. Well friends, we end our visit in this impressive Castle. I hope you found this video interesting. And as always, I thank you for your likes and comments.

And see you in the next video.

Hoy visitaremos el Castillo Fortaleza de Chillón, junto al lago Lemán y cerca de Montreaux en Suiza.
A través de la Historia del Castillo de Chillón , conoceremos el pasado y el nacimiento de Suiza.
Preparado en este viaje en el tiempo?

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Turismo en Suiza
Lago Ginebra
Atracciones turísticas en Suiza
Arquitectura medieval
Lugares históricos en Suiza
Vistas panorámicas de Suiza
Excursiones en Suiza
Viajes culturales
Castillo a orillas del lago
Belleza arquitectónica suiza
Castillo junto al agua
Explorando Chillon