Switzerland was established in the late middle ages.
It has over 500 castles, palaces, and fortresses that are draped in rich history.
As you walk through the countryside, you may notice many of these structures still intact and some in ruins.
Many of the castles in Switzerland were built by foreigners such as the Germans, Austrians, and Romans, and some by the Swiss themselves.
Unlike the mammoth structures you might find in other places in Europe, Swiss castles are essentially smaller, fortified houses.
Many of these fortresses are private residences today.
In this article, we will dive into ten of the most beautiful and must-see castles in Switzerland today.
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10 Most Beautiful Castles in Switzerland
1. Oberhofen Castle
Oberhofen Castle is like something out of a medieval fairytale.
It is located in Oberhofen of the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, and sits on Lake Thun.
The castle was constructed sometime during the high middle ages by Freiherr von Oberhofen, a nobleman of the time.
Back then, the castle was called Balm Castle.
It was constructed on a hill, overlooking a village.
The castle and town were later gifted to the in-laws of the owner’s daughter, Ita.
The new owners, the von Eschenbach family, were later forced to sell the castle.
Over the centuries, the castle has changed hands many times and often belonged to a noble family.
The castle features an eclectic architectural design as many additions were made through the centuries that incorporate architectural designs from different periods.
Today, it is bordered by water on two sides.
One of the towers rises out of the water and is attached to part of the main building through a section.
It can be described as a Romantic-style castle that features a museum and restaurant.
There is a beautiful park that was created by one of the aristocratic families that once owned the castle in 1850.
The castle attracts many tourists during the time of the year when it is open and offers guided tours.
2. Château de Chillon
Château de Chillon is located on Lake Geneva, Switzerland, and is known as the Island Castle.
The medieval fortress is situated on the eastern side of the lake, between Montreux and Villeneuve.
The castle is renowned for its unrivaled beauty and for being one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Europe.
Construction dates back to the 12th century and comprises over 100 different buildings that are joined by towers and moats.
The castle that you see today was built in the 13th century by Pierre II of Savoy.
It initially served as a fortress before becoming the summer home of the Savoy family.
There have been several additions and changes throughout the centuries and the castle has served as a hospital, warehouse, winery, royal residence, and even as a prison at one point.
It is considered to be one of the most romantic castles by writers and artists around the world and one of the most visited sites in Switzerland.
Today, it mainly serves as a tourist attraction, attracting several hundred thousand visitors each year who come to admire the octagon shape of the castle, the beautiful courtyards, and the magnificent paintings that date back to the 14th century.
3. Hallwyl Castle
Hallwyl Castle is located on the northern side of Lake Hallwill, on two islands in the river Aabach.
It is widely considered to be the most important moated castle in Switzerland.
It was constructed during the 12th century for the Lords Of Hallwyl.
For most of its existence, the castle belonged to the Hallwyl family.
This was a noble family that excelled in many areas of life, including politics, science, finance, and trade.
The castle was extended during the 14th century to include towers, a moat, and dual fortifications.
Throughout the centuries, there were several other additions and changes to the outer structure of the castle, including, turrets, a dungeon tower, an archive tower, as well as a mill.
From 1871 to 1873, Hans Theodor of Hallwyl had much of the front of the castle redesigned in Neo-Gothic architectural design.
Hans Theodor of Hallwyl purchased the castle in 1994 and has owned it ever since.
Today, the castle is open to the public and also forms part of the Museum Of Aargau.
Tourists can join guided tours to learn about the history of the Hallwill family and the church.
4. Aigle Castle
Aigle Castle is a Swiss heritage site located in Aigle in the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland.
The castle is a beautiful mixture of natural and architectural beauty.
It was built in the 12th century by the Barons Of Aigle and is surrounded by a vineyard.
The historic castle has strong roots in the local wine industry.
The Château d’Aigle is home to a museum called the Vine, Wine and Wine Label Museum or Musée de la vigne et du vin.
The museum attracts thousands of tourists each year.
Tourists have access to every part of the fortress, including the towers and the vineyards.
The museum educates visitors on the wine-making process through historical implements as well as interactive displays.
Visitors are welcome to sample some of the vintages.
This makes an excellent day trip.
And, the views of the castle from the vineyard are breathtaking.
5. Château de Morges
Château de Morges is a medieval castle that was built in the 13th century by Louis of Savoy.
The castle is located in Morges in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland.
It is considered to be a national heritage site.
The design is square with towers at each corner. I
n 1803, it was selected as the official cantonal armory and was considered to be a significant military location due to its fortifications and waterfront location.
By 1925, the status of the castle changed to that of the Vaud Military Museum.
This military museum features nearly 350 years of history of medieval weapons, armor, and mounted guns.
There are currently five museums in this castle.
The Swiss Historic Figurine Museum showcases historical reconstructions of battlefields with military figurines.
The Artillery Museum, as the name implies, provides a historical overview of artillery from the Burgundy wars to the present day.
The Police Museum highlights the establishment of the Swiss marine corps in 1803.
Many tourists frequent the castle every year for its rich history and amazing museums.
6. Castlemur Castle
Castlemur Castle is located in the Bregaglia of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.
It is yet another Swiss heritage site of great importance.
In 1961, the municipality purchased the property from the heirs and transformed it into a museum.
The castle was originally built in 1723 for Johannes Redolfi and features an eclectic architectural design and features a Lombard/Venetian gothic style.
In addition, the primary architecture includes Baroque, Moorish, and Neo-Gothic.
The castle, including its interior, decor, and paintings, is a testament to the opulent life its owners once enjoyed.
Today, the castle is open to the public and houses an archive on its second floor that stores and researches documents relating to the surrounding region.
The archive is known as the Archivio Storico.
7. Tarasp Castle
Tarasp Castle is located in Scuol, Switzerland, and is another heritage site.
It was constructed in the 11th century and, up until 1803, was the property of the Austrian government.
Though there were many attempts to seize the castle over the centuries, it was never accomplished.
The castle started to fall into decay, leading into the year 1900 when Karl August Lingner, the inventor of the mouthwash Odor, purchased the castle and had it restored.
The restoration happened over a 16-year period.
The castle features an organ with 2,500 pipes, a chapel, and several historically decorated rooms.
It is open to the public today. Several concerts and tours are held throughout the year and tourists come to help with the maintenance work as part of the experience.
In addition, the castle features a collection of antique and modern art.
8. Yverdon Castle
Yverdon Castle, a lowland military fortress, is located in Yverdon-Les-Bains in the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland.
It is a national heritage site and was built in the 13th century, originally serving as a defensive building and a stately residence.
The castle was built by Peter, Count of Savoy, and designed by two architects known as John and James of Saint Georges.
What makes the location of the castle so unique is that it is situated in the center of the town.
In 1798, the castle was registered as a national asset.
A very interesting fact about this castle is that it was home to Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, a very well-known educator.
The castle serves a different purpose today. Pestalozzi Research and Documentation Centre is located in the castle, in addition to the Echandole Theatre and the Swiss Museum of Fashion.
The property has a rich history that spans many centuries.
9. Spiez Castle
Spiez Castle is located in Bern, Switzerland, and was constructed in the 10th century by the King of Burgundy, Rudolph II.
The architectural design is predominantly Baroque.
The castle has changed many times throughout the centuries and, in 1929, it was purchased by The Spiez Castle Foundation, a foundation established in 1927.
Throughout the 15th to 16th centuries, many renovations were done to the castle, and additions were made.
Some of these included a new gallery and another floor.
From the 17th to the 18th centuries, a garden that surrounds the castle grounds and a vineyard was added, along with several other additions.
Today, the castle is open to the public.
Several exhibitions and concerts are held during the season and visitors are free to explore the grounds.
The venue is also available to rent for conferences and events.
10. Gruyeres Castle
Gruyeres Castle is located in western Switzerland in Fribourg.
The castle was constructed in the 13th century and was the home of the Counts of Gruyeres.
It features a medieval architectural design.
The property was sold in 1544 by the Counts of Gruyeres as they went into bankruptcy.
Following this, for approximately two centuries, the castle was the home of Fribourg’s bailiffs and prefects.
Later, the castle was renovated and restored to its original state by the Bovy and Balland families, who purchased the property in 1849.
Today, the city once again belongs to the city of Fribourg and is open to the public.
The castle is one of the most significant attractions in the area and features a museum with many exquisite paintings spanning various centuries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Switzerland have a king and queen?
No.
It is a republic that was established as such in 1848.
Who was the last king of Switzerland?
Alexander I of Switzerland.
Does Britain rule over Switzerland?
No.
They are independent of each other though they maintain close relations.
Can you buy a castle and own it privately in Switzerland?
Yes.
