The very point out of a vacation in Switzerland is sufficient to ship many into deliriums of ecstasy with the flurry of panoramic photos that comes with it. Be it the craft beer and castles, new-age eating places and waterfront bars, swimming within the Rhine or Limmat, and mountain climbing on the snow-clad peaks, issues to do in Switzerland are limitless. However nothing offers you extra perception into the grandeur of the nation’s historical past and tradition just like the castles of Switzerland.
10 Finest Castles Of Switzerland
So let’s check out a record of castles in Switzerland that you just positively shouldn’t miss out in your subsequent journey there.
1. Oberhofen Fortress
Step again into the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries as you stroll by way of the grandeur of the Oberhofen Fortress, that stands perched on the shores of Lake Thun. The oldest components of the turreted citadel date again to 1200 AD, its grand white spiral jutting out on to the lake within the Swiss canton of Bern. Murals and Romanesque frescoes relationship again to the Thirteenth-Fifteenth century adorning the chapel and the Turkish smoking parlor shouldn’t be missed.
Timings: 11:00am – 5:00pm (closed on Mondays)
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2. Chillon Fortress
The Chateau de Chillon might be the one of the well-known castles in Switzerland. Steeped in historical past, the Chillon Fortress stands on the rocky outcrop on Lake Geneva, surrounded by water on all sides that make its pure moat. Having served because the official residence throughout twelfth to sixteenth century, the Counts of Savoy managed the passage of ships again then on Lake Geneva. The beautiful Gothic structure exhibited within the dungeons of the citadel, the grand ‘Courtyard of Honour’, the chapel and sleeping quarters of the erstwhile noblemen maintain vestiges of its grand historical past.
Timings: 9:00am – 7:00pm (varies in keeping with the seasons)
3. Gruyere Fortress
Visiting Switzerland, you will have the thought of sampling its well-known cheese fondue in thoughts. Whereas the medieval city of Gruyeres Fribourg is famend for a similar, just remember to go to the beautiful Gruyere Fortress as nicely. Constructed within the Thirteenth Century and handed on to a number of noble households, this image good citadel homes historic treasures together with capes belonging to knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Marvel on the bespoke frescoes created by the Historical Regime, work, and decorations created by the nineteenth century artists as you discover the citadel’s ramparts and its French gardens.
Timings:
9:00am – 6:00pm (April – October)
10:00am – 5:00pm (November-December)
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4. The Castles of Bellinzona
Ticino’s capital metropolis Bellinzona is far famed for its three majestic castles generally known as the Castello Montebello, Castello Sasso Corbaro, and Castelgrande. Castelgrande is the oldest and most spectacular of the three, constructed within the Thirteenth century, whereas the opposite two are the most effective preserved medieval castles in Switzerland. Forming a hoop with fortified partitions (little of which stays as we speak), the three castles that performed a distinguished function within the safety of Bellinzona has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Web site as we speak. One can take pleasure in a surprising view of all the metropolis from the citadel Sasso Corbaro.
Timings:
10:30am – 4:00pm (November-March)
10:00am – 6:00 pm (April – October)
5. Rapperswil Fortress
Perched on the shores of Lake Zurich, the lake waters surrounding it on three sides, the Rapperswil Fortress is among the most lovely castles close to Zurich, Switzerland. This citadel homes the Polish Museum the place the historical past of Swiss-Polish relationships is displayed together with story of Nobel prize winner Marie Curie-Sklodowska amongst others. A stroll alongside the medieval wall and the parapet in the direction of the citadel provides a splendid view of the ‘Metropolis of Roses’.
Timings:
1:00pm – 5:00pm (April-October)
1:00pm – 5:00pm (throughout weekends of March, November & December)
Open on request throughout January and February
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6. Tourbillon Fortress
Standing tall on the height of a rocky mountain, the Tourbillon Fortress overlooks the astonishing vistas of the Sion. It’s an arduous trek alongside a winding path that takes you to the citadel, which homes a museum exhibiting items of historic significance. The attention-grabbing reality stays that although the citadel was laid to destroy by an enormous hearth in 1788, its Fifteenth century chapel ornamented with frescoes survived the harmful blaze.
Timings: 11:00am – 5:00pm
7. Thun Fortress
Of all of the castles in Switzerland, the Thun Fortress close to Lake Thun provides essentially the most beautiful view – of the Aare River. The tower of Knight’s Corridor that was really constructed within the twelfth century is among the most excellent options of Thun Fortress. One can tour all of its 5 flooring together with a jail that was inbuilt 1886.
Timings:
10:00am – 5:00pm (April – October)
1:00pm – 4:00pm (each Sunday November – January)
1:00pm – 4:00pm (February – March)
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8. Tarasp Fortress
Identified to be essentially the most imposing citadel in Graubunden owing to its location atop a 100m excessive rock, Fortress Tarasp dominates the locality in Higher Engadine. Sweeping views of pristine Lake Tarasp, the Alpine Mountains and of Decrease Engadine area will be loved from the citadel grounds. Scheduled excursions would take you thru the superbly restored rooms, the chapel, grand halls and the well-known organ with 2500 pipes preserved inside this eleventh century citadel.
Timings: Excursions to be scheduled after coordination with the citadel administration
9. Habsburg Fortress
With the oldest foundations laid 1000 years in the past, the Habsburg Fortress is a treasure trove of the Habsburg Household reminiscences that has performed an immense function in shaping the European historical past. Six audio stations offer you a documentation of the rise of Habsburg Dynasty, whereas a spherical tour of the citadel premises provides you splendid views, and culinary delights within the historic setting as nicely. It might even be a delight to identify the rationale why this citadel is Switzerland is known as ‘double citadel’.
Timings:
10:00am – 10:30pm (closed on Mondays)
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10. Vufflens Fortress
This Fifteenth century citadel is finest identified for its fairy-tale grandeur with its central tower that makes an impressive sight together with Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc from the Vufflens Winery it’s nestled in. Though guests should not allowed inside the privately owned mammoth citadel, a 30 minute stroll within the Vufflens Winery could be a deal with to the eyes.
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Awestruck already? Gear as much as discover these fascinating castles in your subsequent vacation in Switzerland. Customise your individual Europe tour package deal with TravelTriangle, and switch your vacation into an unforgettable affair.
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