Chillon Castle, Medieval fortress near Montreux, Switzerland
Chillon Castle is a medieval fortress on Lake Geneva in Veytaux, Switzerland, standing on a rocky island and now operating as a museum. The stone structure extends 100 meters in length, measures 50 meters in width, and rises 25 meters in height with tall walls, towers, and underground vaults.
The fortress was constructed in the 12th century to control the road between Burgundy and the Great Saint Bernard Pass. It served for centuries as a strategic military post and prison before being recognized as a historic monument in the 19th century.
The fortress takes its name from a rock jutting into the lake where it was built, a feature locals called Chillon. Visitors today walk through great halls decorated with medieval murals and furniture that show how nobles and soldiers lived and worked here.
The castle is open to visitors daily from spring through fall, with hours that vary by season. The site includes several floors with steep stairs and narrow passages, so sturdy footwear is advisable.
A wooden bridge connects the fortress to shore, replacing the original drawbridge that once provided the only access to the island. In the underground cellars, visitors can still see iron rings where prisoners were chained during medieval times.
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