Chateau Chillon in Switzerland
History, culture and mesmerizing lake views
Dear travelers, ready to embark on an adventure that will make the Swiss watches tick faster? Do the Alps look like small hills? An adventure sweeter than Swiss chocolate? Well, maybe we exaggerated a bit, but, pay respect to Shion Castle.
On the shores of the magical Lake Geneva, stands the pastoral town of Montreux, a haven of natural beauty, cultural wealth and historical treasures. Between its magical streets and its panoramic beauty stands one site that cannot be missed - Chateau de Cheon. It is a medieval fortress, majestically located on the shore of the lake, full of centuries-old history that takes you back momentarily to the time when knights roamed the streets of the town. So if you are in the Geneva area and looking for a day trip sweeter than chocolate fondue, and older than aged Swiss cheese, join us:
The historical story of Shion Castle:
Let's jump into our time machines and go back almost a thousand years.
While there is evidence of life in the area as early as the Bronze Age, the castle's history dates back to the Roman Empire, when it served as a strategic outpost guarding the road to the Swiss Alps.
Over the years the castle was built and developed, with its peak probably being in the 12th century, under the rule of the Countess of Savoy (Contea di Savoia), an Italian rule that began in the 11th century. During this period, the rulers of the region expand the castle and build new fortifications in it, which can be seen today when visiting it.
The magical castle served as the summer residence of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy, and played a role as a strategic stronghold and later as a state prison. The location of the castle, near the narrowest point of Lake Geneva, made it an important site where they controlled the maritime trade in the region - especially the regions north of the Alps and Italy.
The most famous prisoner held in the royal prison in the castle was probably François Bonivard, a monk and politician who was held captive between 1530 and 1536, due to his opposition to the Duke of Savoy. This period was commemorated by the famous British poet Lord Byron in his poem "The Prisoner of Zion", written in 1816 after he visited the castle.
In 1536 the castle was captured and lost its strategic importance, becoming a warehouse. In the 19th century, restoration work began in the castle guided by testimonies and historical records to return it to its glory days and preserve as much as possible its authenticity.
Today, Chateau de Cheon is considered one of the most visited historical sites in Switzerland and Europe as a whole. The castle is a kind of open museum that offers a journey through time and provides fascinating insights into medieval architecture and the daily life of the Counts of Savoy.
What do you see when visiting Shion Castle?
A visit to Chateau de Chion offers a variety of experiences that offer a historical and architectural journey alongside breathtaking views:
Historical research: Chateau de Cheon invites you to flip through the pages of history, when you can visit the castle's rooms, where each space and corridor tells a different story from a different period throughout its rich history. Inside the rooms you will discover antique furniture, weapons and works of art that have been well preserved for hundreds of years, and these will provide you with an intimate glimpse into the lives of the counts and dukes who called the castle home.
The rooms you must visit in the castle:
The underground rooms (UNDERGROUND ROOMS): These rooms, called the castle cellars, were formerly used as grain warehouses and later as a royal prison. François Bonivar was imprisoned in this place, about whom the famous poem "The Prisoner of Zion" was written. A visit to the cellar rooms will take you on an exciting and mesmerizing journey, among ancient stories of courage and suffering.
The Duke's Residence (Duke's Residence): The residence of the Savoy ruling family, where you will find rooms decorated with old furniture and works of art.
The castle halls: The castle boasts three magnificent halls that hosted the islanders of the castle for banquets, weddings and special events - Camera domini, or the Lord's Hall, where the Duke of Savoy held lavish banquets, the event hall, where magnificent feasts were held; And the reception hall. The vast spaces provide a glimpse of the splendor of the Savoy period.
Chapel: An ancient and magnificently beautiful chapel, decorated with original wall paintings from the 14th century that depict various biblical scenes. The chapel offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual life of the castle's inhabitants, and you can find an audio-visual screen that tells visitors about the history of the religious site and the murals that adorn the walls of the chapel .
Defense walls and towers: It is important to remember that this is a defense castle, a fortress, therefore the castle is surrounded by walls, fortifications and towers. The walls and towers of the castle offer magnificent views towards the blue Geneva Lake, and the towering Alps. You can walk around the walls and discover the defensive slots through which archers defended the castle hundreds of years ago. The oldest part of the castle is the Watchtower, where you can climb and watch breathtaking views.
Castle Courtyards: Chateau de Chion boasts four inner courtyards, each offering different views of the lake and mountains. The courtyards will take you on a peaceful journey between the walls of the magical castle.
In the castle complex you will also find A new cafe called Café Byron, which offers mesmerizing views of the castle and a Swiss culinary experience. In the castle gardens you will find the snack bar, where you can purchase drinks or light snacks to accompany your visit to the magical courtyards. In the castle complex you will also find the castle bazaar, a souvenir shop that offers wooden toys, notebooks, mugs, jewelry, local wine and many other surprises in a medieval atmosphere. This is the place to refresh yourself with a colorful magnet or quality Swiss chocolate.
Mesmerizing architecture: During its hundreds of years of existence, Shion Castle has undergone many architectural upheavals and changes. During the reign of Savoy, the castle was designed in a Gothic style, while the Bernese period, which came after its conquest, brought with it elements from the Renaissance world. During the visit to the castle you can discover the magical combination of architectural styles, from the grandeur of the central knight's hall, the simplicity of the duke's bedroom or the intricate wall paintings in the royal chapel, all of which provide a visual treat and a spectacular glimpse of the architectural styles of the various periods in history.
Exhibitions and workshops: The castle often hosts fascinating exhibitions that delve into a specific theme within its historical path or its architectural and cultural aspect. You will find interactive workshops that bring history to life in a fun and accessible way, such as an archery activity or even a pottery class that is open to visitors. If you are traveling with children, it is recommended to be informed about such activities on the official website of the castle.
Shion Castle - important information:
Location: Chateau Chillon is located on the outskirts of the town of Montreux, a summer town on the eastern north shore of Lake Geneva.
The trip from the city of Geneva to the castle will take between an hour and an hour and a half, and from the city of Lausanne the trip will take about 40 minutes. For those coming from the Bern city area, the trip will take between an hour and an hour and a quarter.
There is free parking available upon presentation of tickets to the castle.
For those arriving by public transport, you can get by train from the main cities in Switzerland to the main train station of the town of Montreux, which is about 4 km from the castle. If you are already in the nearby countryside, you can take a train line to the Veytaux-Chillon station, which is near the castle Also, there is a bus line number N 201, which leaves from the towns of Vevey, Montreux, Villeneuve and reaches the castle.
שעות פתיחה:
June, July, August: every day between 9:00 and 19:00 (last entry at 18:00).
April, May, September and October: every day between 9:00 and 18:00 (last entry at 17:00).
November - March: every day between 9:00 and 17:00 (last entry at 16:00).
Tickets: The ticket price for an adult (16-59) is 13.8 euros. 60 years old and older, and students who hold a student card will pay 11.7 euros. Children aged 6-15 will pay 7 euros, and the entry for children under 5 is free.
It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance! Something that will save standing in lines and ensure entry at the desired time.
You can purchase audio guides in English for an additional fee.
There is free parking on site for those who purchased a ticket to the castle, parking is valid for 3 hours.
There are lockers for storing bags for a fee.
To end the day, don't miss a walk along the spectacular Lake Geneva to watch the setting sun illuminate the château in orange-gold hues. So if you are history buffs, photography enthusiasts, a family with children or anyone looking for a mesmerizing and breathtaking experience in the heart of the green country, Chateau de Cheon promises to take you on a perfect journey. So as the Swiss say, "En guete Reise!", "Have a good trip!".
