What did my Historical Eye enjoy seeing?

Through the lens of my Historical Eye, I saw a formidable composition of towers, a mosaic of solid brick embraced by stones, standing sentinel against time. The white tops of the Alps as a majestic backdrop, guarding the secrets of Chillon Castle by the shores of Lac Léman.

The roots of the site where the castle now stands extend back to the Bronze Age, marking the beginning of its historical journey. Where in Roman times it was an outpost to guard the strategic Alpine Passes. In 1005 AD the castle was first mentioned in a written document.

Examining the architecture of this medieval castle, it bears the characteristics of a Savoy design, with the notable exception that it was constructed upon an oval rock, imparting a distinctive and typical form to the castle. This is all logical if you know that the Counts of Savoy owned this castle from the 12th century till 1536. The current form was built in the 13th century by Pierre II of Savoy and was initially constructed as a fortress, only to become a summer home for the Savoy family at the time. 

After that another era began in 1536- 1798, under Bernese occupation, Chillon Castle continued to function as a fortress, depot, and occasional prison. The castle also served as a hospital, and the Bernese made the castle the residence of the bailiff of Vevey. 1798 another change to the ownership came, Kanton Voudais, who still is, became the owner of the Medival castle.

While the Swiss people were already familiar with this building, it wasn’t until the 18th century that it gained international acclaim, inspiring romantic writers and poets. Soon, tourists from all corners of the globe came to this historical castle, captivated by its magical views overlooking Lake Geneva. It is said that this charismatic castle even inspired Disney in the making of the animated film “The Little Mermaid.”

To get an impression of the beauty of this building, go to this link. To immerse yourself in the experience, one must embark on a journey to Switzerland to personally visit the site.