Werdenberg Castle, Werdenberg, Switzerland

Werdenberg castle was founded around 1228-1230 by Count Rudolf I of Montfort. Today, the architectural complex comprises two museums – one in the castle and one in the town – that tell the 800-year history of the rulers and their subjects. Three of the epochs – the times of the counts, the governors of Glarus and that of the well-to-do Hilty family – are effectively displayed in the castle. The Museum Schlangenhaus, located in the town, shows how people in the Werdenberg region lived in the olden days. The bistro, a wooden structure in the castle’s courtyard, serves homemade cakes and regional snacks.

References:

Switzerland Tourism

User Reviews

Bhargav Bhatt (10 months ago)
Beautiful path with beautiful view. There is also restaurant next to the castle. Can have nice coffee or beer.

Roberto Catanuto (11 months ago)
Simple and silent place, with a great view of the valley and the Alps.

Adrian Bar (11 months ago)
Nice castle above the lake

Kamlesh Vyas (12 months ago)
This was super interesting place. If you like old stuff, you need to visit this place. This Castle is 900 years old approximately. Interesting construction, and family living arrangements. Very strong and you can see whole town from top of it.

Irina Vacarciuc (12 months ago)
Nice small town with a nice view over it and the see. ?

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The Castle of Gruyères is one of the most famous in Switzerland. It was built between 1270 and 1282, following the typical square plan of the fortifications in Savoy. It was the property of the Counts of Gruyères until the bankruptcy of the Count Michel in 1554. His creditors the cantons of Fribourg and Bern shared his earldom. From 1555 to 1798 the castle became residence to the bailiffs and then to the prefects sent by Fribourg.

In 1849 the castle was sold to the Bovy and Balland families, who used the castle as their summer residency and restored it. The castle was then bought back by the canton of Fribourg in 1938, made into a museum and opened to the public. Since 1993, a foundation ensures the conservation as well as the highlighting of the building and the art collection.

The castle is the home of three capes of the Order of the Golden Fleece. They were part of the war booty captured by the Swiss Confederates (which included troops from Gruyères) at the Battle of Morat against Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in 1476. As Charles the Bold was celebrating the anniversary of his father's death, one of the capes is a black velvet sacerdotal vestment with Philip the Good's emblem sewn into it.

A collection of landscapes by 19th century artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and others are on display in the castle.

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