Rochefort Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Rochefort, Switzerland.
Rochefort Castle comprises the remains of a fortress perched on a rocky outcrop at 805 meters elevation, commanding views over Lake Neuchâtel and the approach to Val-de-Travers. The ruins reveal multiple building phases integrated into the natural rock formation, with sections of stone walls and foundations still standing.
The fortress was built starting in the 11th century and underwent multiple architectural changes through the 14th century, documented by metal and ceramic finds from different periods. It was abandoned around the 15th century and gradually fell into its current ruined state.
The name Rochefort refers to the rocky terrain that formed the natural foundation of this fortress, a feature that shaped how people built and defended the structure. Walking through the site today, you can see how the stone walls integrate with the natural rock formations that made this location valuable for protection.
Reaching the ruins involves a short climb up the rocky slope, and ground conditions vary with the seasons and weather. Information panels placed around the site help visitors understand the remains and their historical context.
Archaeological excavations in 2018 and 2019 uncovered metal objects from the 13th and 14th centuries, along with Bronze Age pottery and Roman coins scattered across the site. These discoveries reveal that humans occupied and used this location over a span of more than a thousand years.
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