Neuchâtel Castle, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Neuchâtel castle adjoins the collegiate church and overlooks the city. By following the circular path at the base of the outer walls, you get a general idea of the different parts of the building erected around a large courtyard and a smaller one, to the south. It can be accessed from Rue de la Collégiale or the cloisters.

The castle history dates back to the Roman age, but the first stone castle was probably built in the 11th or 12th century. It has been altered and rebuilt several times. From 1708 to 1848 it belonged to the Prussia.

The construction of the church began at the end of the 12th century and was completed in 1276. Facing the gates of the castle, the three apses are striking by the beauty of their Roman design. Only the south clock tower is ancient, the spire and the north tower being built in 1869.

User Reviews

Luna Sangeun (9 months ago)
A beautiful castle. It's on a hill, so it's a little hard to get there. But it's definitely worth visiting.

paul miller (11 months ago)
A walk up the winding stone steps brings you to the castle which is in excellent condition and now attached to the church. These are some excellent photo opportunities here as the location provides some lovely vistas. With information provided it is easy to see the development history which I believe began as early as 12th century. Once finished you are only a short walk from the delicious food snacks and coffee of the town centre.

Andrey Esaulov (14 months ago)
That is an incredible piece of history, so close to the core of the city. A great park inside, so just grab some coffee, hop on one of the benches and read the book, enjoying the best view on the medieval roofs of the city and beautiful lake. And on the good SUNY day, even the mount Mont Blanc! Sounds like a perfect day for me.

James Ross (18 months ago)
When we went, we were the only one for the visit. We had a private visit. Our guide was very gentle and explain pretty well. I personally thought that it would be more like a museum, but it’s government/city council office.

Elena Terentieva (19 months ago)
To tell the truth, I saw more impressive places in Switzeland. The palace was closed, only one little church was opened for visitors. The landscape was beautiful, but sometimes dirty, especially near the lake. English garden was wonderful, but I don't think I wish to go there more

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Photo from Flickr, copyright saxuisse

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Les Invalides is a complex of buildings containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building"s original purpose. The buildings house the Musée de l"Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d"Histoire Contemporaine, as well as the burial site for some of France"s war heroes, notably Napoleon Bonaparte.

Louis XIV initiated the project in 1670, as a home and hospital for aged and unwell soldiers: the name is a shortened form of hôpital des invalides. The architect of Les Invalides was Libéral Bruant. The enlarged project was completed in 1676, the river front measured 196 metres and the complex had fifteen courtyards. Jules Hardouin Mansart assisted the aged Bruant, and the chapel was finished in 1679 to Bruant"s designs after the elder architect"s death.

Shortly after the veterans" chapel was completed, Louis XIV commissioned Mansart to construct a separate private royal chapel referred to as the Église du Dôme from its most striking feature. Inspired by St. Peter"s Basilica in Rome, the original for all Baroque domes, it is one of the triumphs of French Baroque architecture. The domed chapel is centrally placed to dominate the court of honour. It was finished in 1708.

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The building retained its primary function of a retirement home and hospital for military veterans until the early twentieth century. In 1872 the musée d"artillerie (Artillery Museum) was located within the building to be joined by the Historical Museum of the Armies in 1896. The two institutions were merged to form the present musée de l"armée in 1905. At the same time the veterans in residence were dispersed to smaller centres outside Paris. The reason was that the adoption of a mainly conscript army, after 1872, meant a substantial reduction in the numbers of veterans having the twenty or more years of military service formerly required to enter the Hôpital des Invalides. The building accordingly became too large for its original purpose. The modern complex does however still include the facilities detailed below for about a hundred elderly or incapacitated former soldiers.

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