Scenic Trains
Glacier
Express
Bernina
Express
Golden
Pass Line
Wilhelm
Tell Express
Mont
Blanc - St Bernard
Palm
Express
Excursion Trains
Jungfraujoch
Chocolate
Train
Gornergrat
Matterhorn
Mt
Pilatus Railway
Mt
Rigi Railway
Roches
De Naye
Lake Cruises
Lake
Geneva
Lake
Lucerne
Lake
Constance
Friboug Attractions
Fribourg
City
Gruyere
Cheese Tour
Chocolate
Factory Tour
Gruyere
Castle
Giger
Museum & Bar
SWITZERLAND BY RAIL - REGIONS - FRIBOURG
GRUYÈRES CASTLE
The Castle of Gruyeres stands the end of the medieval village of the
same name, once completely surrounded by its walls. The name of Gruyère
comes from the French word for Crane (grue), the bird featured on the
heraldic coat of arms of the house of the counts of the house of Savoy.
From the 13th through the 16th Century the castle developed over time
from a purely defensive fortress to a noble residence until the last
of the Gruyeres counts I the 18th Century fell into heavy debt and the
family’s inherited lands were divided among his creditors between
Fribourg and the Bernese. The castel was taken over by the Bailiffs of
Fribourg. The Chateau de Gruyères became one of the most famous
in Switzerland though paintings of romantic landscapes of the 19th Century.
From the eastern side, the walls and turrets crowning a hill in the valley
makes it one of the more dramatic of castles.
A visit to the Gruyeres Castle starts with multimedia presentation of
the history of the town and castle told by a jester character from the
castle legends, named Chalamala. The restoration of the castle is mostly
from the 1800s during the romantic revival. The ornate and beautifully
rich living quarters are from the Bovy and Balland
families who made
the castle a summer residence. The
Knights Hall with its carved wood and the Corot’s
Parlor with walls painted with images of medieval legends and crane motif
ceiling
panels
are some
of
the most
impressive
rooms, as well as the massive fireplace so large it has a doorway inside,
through to the kitchens. In the count’s bedroom you’ll find
the robe of Charles the Bold, the Burgundian. The outer wall surrounds
a formal garden, viewed out the windows. The castle battlements can be
walked and a path follows the walls along the hillside. A medieval days
event celebrating the Festival of St John is held every June in Gruyeres
with craft demonstrations, medieval weaponry re-enactors and a falconry
show.
See Favorite Switzerland Castles.
The Chateau Gruyères is open every day from 9am to 5:30pm April through October and 10am to 4:15 November to March. Admission for adults is 9.50 Swiss francs, 8 francs for Seniors/Students 3 for children 6 to 16. The Gruyeres Castle is free with a Swiss Pass and is included with the Chocolate Train Tour from Montreux, (also including the Gruyere Cheese Factory Tour and Callier Chocolate Factory Tour in Broc.
Find the best travel and hotel deals in Fribourg
on TripAdvisor