Prangins Castle, 18th century castle in Prangins, Switzerland
Prangins Castle is a classical French-style building from the 18th century located in a spacious park above Lake Geneva that now houses the Swiss National Museum. The structure spans multiple floors and contains collections that document the history of the region and its inhabitants across different periods.
The castle was built in 1732 and replaced an older fortified structure destroyed during Bern's military campaign in 1536. The new construction reflected how wealthy merchants and bankers were consolidating power in the region through the creation of grand private residences.
The museum displays the living conditions of past generations through household objects, furnishings, and personal documents that show daily routines of different social classes. The exhibitions focus on the home as a center of social life and how people shared spaces across different periods.
The location is easily accessible by public transportation and lies near a train station. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the park and building require considerable walking, especially if you want to explore all exhibition areas.
The estate contains a working historical vegetable garden that is maintained according to original 18th-century plans. This garden follows the planting methods and plant varieties from that era and demonstrates how food production and gardening worked in affluent households.
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