Gruyères Castle

Gruyères, Switzerland

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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Details

Founded: 1270-1282
Category: Castles and fortifications in Switzerland

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Anna.Jacob Goldenshtein (6 months ago)
After visiting this Castle we went to see waterfalls. It was amazing! The amount of water, the nature in the area! Everything was fantastic! And the rainbow above the water was really great!
איתמר נחליאל (6 months ago)
Nice castle, Amazing view! You can buy for 16 franks combined ticket with the cheese factory tour, ask them about it. I’ll recommend to take about 50 minutes for the castle tour. Very nice place
Evelyn Mong (7 months ago)
I was so impressed with this castle! How can they built this castle in the past and with so beautiful and detailed painting like that??? Still can not believe at all. I enjoyed being there and can see so many beautiful things during my trip
Chris Le Tissier (7 months ago)
Been before about 15 years ago. Flower garden nice. Ramparts good, just watch your head. Inside nicely arranged. Plenty to see. English placards. If arriving by train take the bus. Walking to the Ville is a killer walk anytime worse in heat.
Rick (8 months ago)
Nice "castle". Lots of history behind it. Interior decorations are recently done with items from the time period. If one looks at the post cards on display in one of the rooms, the decor was quite different even 100 years ago. Nice how there are privately owned residences in the town outside the "castle". Enjoyed the tour, although quite pricey.
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