Thielle Castle, Medieval castle in Gals, Switzerland
Thielle Castle is a medieval fortification in Gals featuring stone walls and towers built during the early 1500s that rise above the surrounding countryside. The structure displays the defensive design typical of castles from that period, with thick masonry and elevated towers positioned for surveillance.
The site originated as a Carthusian monastery in the 1100s and maintained its monastic purpose until the Protestant Reformation of 1528. Following this religious shift, the building underwent significant changes in its function and use.
The castle demonstrates medieval Swiss architectural design and holds regional significance in the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property.
The castle sits on elevated ground and can be reached by different routes through the village. Wearing comfortable shoes is advisable since the terrain is uneven in places.
After the Reformation ended its religious use, the building became a psychiatric facility in the early 1800s and then a prison from 1849 onward. These dramatic shifts reveal how religious structures were repurposed for entirely different social purposes.
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