Strolling Through Beautiful Castles Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked European country and has a lovely landscape that includes Alpine meadows and beautiful lakes and among all that are impressive castles.

Aarburg Castle

The Aarburg Castle complex is located in northern Switzerland and dates back to medieval times. The central parts of this castle are located on a narrow ridge. This part includes a limestone-walled keep and a tower house. The bottom floor is made up from the rock on the hill. Today the castle is home to a juvenile rehabilitation center.

Chillon Castle

Chillon Castle is located on a rock on the eastern side of Lake Geneva. The castle started out as a Roman outpost and controlled an Alpine pass. The history of the castle includes three significant periods – the Savoy, the Bernese, and the Vaudois. Significant renovations were made in the 13th century. Since the late 18th century the castle has been in the possession of the Canton of Vaud. The restoration campaign that was launched in the late 19th century is still ongoing.

The castle is open to visitors with several exhibitions and tours of the castle.

Grandson Castle

Grandson Castle is the second largest chateau in Switzerland. It overlooks Lake Neuchatal in western Switzerland and is an impressive medieval fortress. Otto I of Grandson rebuilt the castle in the 13th century. He had close ties to English royalty especially Edward I. The castle played an important role in the Burgundian Wars and the Battle of Grandson.

Gruyeres Castle

This castle is in the town of Gruyeres which is known for the world-famous Gruyere cheese. Gruyeres Castle is a Swiss heritage site and was built in the 13th century belonging to the Counts of Gruyere until the mid-16th century. The castle has several towers, a lovely inner courtyard, and a landscaped garden.

Munot Fortress

The fortress is located in the city of Schaffhausen. It is a 16th century circular fortifications overlooking the Old Town and the Rhine River. It is open to visitors.

Rapperswil Castle

Rapperswil Castle sits on the shores of Lake Zurich above the town of Rapperswil, often referred to as the “Town of Roses”. In the late 12th century the castle was set on a rocky hilltop called Lindenhof. Inside the castle you’ll find the Polish National Museum. Each corner of the castle has a tower and the highest is the donjon in the southwest of the castle. One of the most prominent features is the five-sided clock tower.

Stockalper Palace

Stockalper Palace is one of the most unique castles in Switzerland. It was built in the 17th century by Kaspar Stockalper, a wealthy Swiss industrialist and politician. It has the most unusual and impressive towers. The three towers were named after the Three Wise Men in the Bible. The palace complex provides warehouse space for the growing trading business in Stockalper.

Tarasp Castle

Tarasp Castle is located in the Alpine Upper Engadine. It is a Swiss heritage site. The medieval castle was built in the 11th century. It sits on a hill top overlooking the surrounding landscape.

Thun Castle

This is one of the most recognized castles in Switzerland due to its fairytale-like surroundings. Thun Castle is located in the city of Thun in the canon of Bern. It offers views of the city, Lake Thun, and snow-capped mountains. The main focal point of the castle complex is the well-preserved donjon. This part of the castle is open to the public, as well as the four corner towers that allow visitors to enjoy stunning views over the city.

Tourbillion Castle

Tourbillion Castle sits in a mountainous landscape atop a cliff. It was built between the 13th and 14th centuries. It was once home to the Diocese of Sion housing bishops. After a destructive fire that overtook the city of Sion the castle was no more. However, in the 20th century the ruins of the castle were excavated and restoration took place. Tourbillon Castle is part of the Valère & Tourbillon complex, where the castle sits atop one hill directly opposite the Cathedral of Valère which is located on another hill.

Valere Basilica/Valere Castle

It sits on a hilltop directly opposite Tourbillion Castle. This is a fortified castle in southwest Switzerland in the town of Sion. The first parts of the castle were built in the mid-12th century in the Romanesque style. In the mid-15th century a cathedral organ was installed and still functions to the day and possible one of the oldest functioning church organs in the world.

Vufflens Castle

This castle is located in the canton of Vaud in western Switzerland. The castle dates back to the 15th century and is privately owned. Even though you cannot tour the castle it is worth taking a look at surrounded by vineyards. There is the 60-meter high donjon, several towers, outbuildings and the gatehouse. Vulfflens castle is a fine example of a fortified Romandy castle built to face Lake Geneva.