The dark history of the Chillon castle on Lake Geneva

Getting to Switzerland

Easy Jet via Geneva for 45 €. Already enough. Comfy and cozy.

Accommodation with or without breakfast.

Booking vs. Airbnb.

The cheapest rent a car PatrickLocation.

Synonyms and associations for the castle of Chillon

Lake Geneva, of Leman, as the French call it.

On the island.

Near Montreux.

It is mentioned in Lord Byron’s work.

Jail. Torture and suffering

The victim-monk Francois de Bonnivard.

All of these are synonyms and associations for one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland and its castles, i.e. Lake Geneva and the Chillon castle, which is visited by a huge number of people

A beautiful castle was built on an island of Lake Leman, and its only connection to the land is a small pedestrian bridge.

However, not only is the castle Chillon a magnificent building, but it also has its dark side in the history.

Stigmatizing

It was a strategic location used to control the travelling between the north and the south of Europe- The gate of Alps. An ideal place to determine taxes and fines in the times of creation and development. It was first mentioned in the writings from 1150, but by that time, it was already under the control of the Savoy family. Chillon castle was a summer residency of the duke of Savoy.

The castle has lasted and was stigmatized throughout the three historical periods

1. The Savoy period (from 12^th century to 1536)
2. Then there were Bernese (from 1536 to 1798)- The castle has kept its fortification role, it was a place for weapon storage and a jail for more than 260 years
3. The new times with the Vaudois (from 1798 till today)

Myth

The myth of Lake Geneva and Chillon castle was interpreted by the famous English poet, Lord Byron, when he visited the castle and wrote a poem ‘The prisoner of Chillon’ in 1816. He was the first artist to visit Chillon castle after all the horrific tortures. Byron describes the suffering of François de Bonnivard in his work, who was a monk, a heretic and a patriot of Geneva, and he was kept a prisoner in the castle for 6 years, due to the controversy with the Savoy, whose descents he was himself.

„…We were all inmates of one place,

And I, the monarch of each race,

Had power to kill—yet, strange to tell!

In quiet we had learn’d to dwell;

My very chains and I grew friends,

So much a long communion tends

To make us what we are:—even I

Regain’d my freedom with a sigh…“

(entire text) „The Prisoner of Chillon“ by Lord Byron

The dark side of Chillon castle

What exactly happened behind the thick walls of Chillon castle?

From its very beginning, and up to the beginning of the 19^th century, all of those who were found ‘unsuitable’ were imprisoned there.

You thought that Goli otok, as a camp for the political opponents, was our idea?

Goli Otok existed long before we could assume.

Were there reasons for that at all? It is said to have been reasons, both political and religious ones, but they also kept war prisoners.

They didn’t pare women either. Many of them were tortured and burned in the castle, because it was believed they were witches.

An example of one of the mysterious disappearances was drowning of one of the Savoy chancellors in the lake of Geneva, after the interrogation in Chillon.

Today you exist, and tomorrow you don’t… that also existed back then…

The most renowned prisoners of Chillon castle on Lake Geneva were Jews and Francois de Bonnivard.

Jews

Jews were a target even before the World Wars, in the 14^th century, especially in the countries such as France, Germany and Switzerland. They were found guilty of spreading plague throughout the Europe. They endured horrific tortures in Chillon castle, until they would ‘confess’ what truth was demanded of them, under the pressure of the authorities at that time. Every single one of them confessed poisoning the drinking water which caused the plague. The authorities (the state) had to blame someone. But why was that almost always Jews, throughout the history?

In return for ‘confessing’ they were promised ‘the forgiveness for their deeds’ which was carried out with them being decimated.

Or they would commit suicide, or were massacred, including children.

That crime in Chillon castle is compared to the one committed over the African Americans in the USA.

François de Bonnivard

What would you have to be, or do, in order to deserve the imprisonment for whole six years?

Be more intelligent than the others or to be monk. To use your brain for thinking.

A scientist and a historian of his time.

Those were all associations that could be connection with the prisoner François de Bonnivard.

The last four years of his imprisonment, he spent in chains in the basement of Chillon castle, with the possibility to make only a couple of steps.

The history repeats itself in the spirit of its own time, doesn’t it? Have you thought about it, and tried to apply it to the time you live in? And what were your results? 🙂

Is it worth visiting Geneva Lake and Chillon castle?

Welcome to the Chillon castle!

An imposing castle is a great choice in combination with a tour of Lake Geneva, and the best known cities on its shore (Geneva, Lausanne). As it is saturated right next to Montereux, the ideal time to visit it might be during summer, because there’s one of the most famous Jazz Festivals in town then.

Freddie Mercury lived and created in Montereux. As a memory, there’s a copper statue of the leading singer of the Queen in the city. Freddie recorded his last album ‘Made in Heaven’ in the Montreux studio nearby Chillon castle.

There’s a well-known village Moleson nearby, in the Swiss Alps, where you can taste one of the most famous world cheeses, Gruyer. And if you’ve already got a rent a car, the south Burgundy isn’t too far away, as well as Ferney Voltaire, which is also in the neighborhood.

My parking experience was a positive one. Around tourist attractions, there was spacious enough parking space.

If you like good music, great food and wine, I have no doubt you’d find some combination to organize such a trip. 🙂

What is there to see in the castle?

Geneva Lake- Chillon castle

Subterranean rooms– the jail, which was the inspiration to many legends and works of art.

Castle garden– today it is used for organization of performances.

Great castle chambers overlooking Lake Geneva, where banquets were held, and today, some private celebrations that are remembered for a lifetime can be organized, of course… if you have enough money. 🙂

The private chambers of Peter II, Barnes’ chambers, Domini room rich in medieval symbols, a chapel, a room with exhibited weapons.

And all the antique furniture from the time.

Storage cupboard.

Wine rooms, along with the barrels filled with wine, and with the possibility to taste and buy it.

And rooms for food storage.

An 11^th century crypt was found in the subterranean part.

Vast exhibition space

Can anyone blow this horn?

Right beside the castle, there’s a small beach which can be used for private purpose, such as barbecuing or celebrating some dates, important only to you, but with a reservation made prior to that

Use Lake Geneva for sailing, traveling by boat, swimming, tasting, and your first golf match, bicycle ride, or a healthy hike… Everything it offers you can check here.

When can you visit the castle?

Basically, it can be always visited (January to December), you just need to pay attention to the visiting hours. The castle is open till 5 p.m. during the winter season, and till 7 p.m. in the summertime. If you want to enjoy everything this castle on Lake Geneva has to offer, you should plan a 2-3-hour of gentle walk. The entry tax is around 12 francs for adults, and 6 for children. Students and pensioners get discount, with a suitable identification (a pension check does not qualify 🙂 )

If you’re accommodated in Geneva, you can get to Chillon by your own vehicle, rent a car, train or a bus. A train ticket if about 28 francs in one direction, and the return one is 54 francs. The bus costs around 3 francs and it is an ok choice, if you’ve decided only to visit the castle and go back for the day. The choice that pays off best is rent a car, because you can experience Switzerland in a completely different way by paying the visit to the other recommended locations. If you’re accommodated in Montreux, you can enjoy in a leisurely walk to the castle, because it is only 3 kilometers away.

But, that is not the end…

Even when you think that history is behind you, you come into…

A perfect place to escape

But, since nothing in life is perfect… so, after coming back to reality after the perfect escape, you could run into

A twilight zone… Chillon castle

And who knows, maybe even…. Freddy Krueger…

„One, two Freddy is coming for you

three, four better lock your door…“

No… no no no…….that is not the movie ….

This is the real movie worthy of making beauty of Chillon castle eternal for the very end…