Oron Castle, Medieval fortress in Oron, Switzerland
Oron Castle is a fortress sitting atop a hill in the canton of Vaud, built from stone with defensive walls, towers, and a central courtyard ringed by residential wings. The structure displays typical medieval defensive features and offers views across the surrounding landscape.
The castle was built in the 13th century and underwent major rebuilding in the second half of the 15th century, followed by multiple renovations during the 17th century. These phases shaped its current appearance and show how defense and living needs changed over time.
A library created in 1880 holds roughly 17,000 volumes inside the castle, including one of Europe's largest private collections of 18th-century French literature. Visitors walking through the rooms can see these rare books and understand how much the owners valued knowledge and collecting.
The castle opens on Saturdays from 14:00 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 14:00 to 18:00, from April through September. Guided tours can be arranged in advance if visitors request them ahead of time.
A heritage association acquired the castle in 1936 and has since worked to keep its historical features intact while operating it as a cultural venue. This dedicated stewardship has made it possible to keep the rare French literature collection accessible to the public while maintaining the fortress structure itself.
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