Castles & palaces

These ruins, the emblem of Ardez, stand on a rocky outcrop and offer glorious panoramic views.

The Spalen Gate is the most imposing of the three surviving city gates that formed part of the fortifications in the 1400s. Many important supply goods for the city, coming from the Alsace region, passed through this gate.

The fortifications of Bellinzona are among the most important
testimonies to medieval castle architecture in the European Alps. They were declared World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
With their walls, turrets, pinnacles and gates, the fortifications amaze even today's visitors.

Bellinzona enjoys a strategic location at the Southern foot of the Alps.

The mighty 14th-century castle bears witness to the long history of this town, whose rulers chose a rose as its emblem.

Collection of weapons and armour, vintage car museum, parapet walk, torture chamber and dungeons.

Dominating the small city surrounded by walls where counts once lived, Gruyere Castle presents an interesting opportunity to find out about five centuries of history, and to see remarkable supernatural art exhibitions.

The Water Castle Hagenwil south of Amriswil was first mentioned in the annals in 1227. There is, however, a theory - which has not been documented - that it used to be a tower in Roman times.

The castle is situated on Lake Thun and stands in delightful grounds with venerable old trees. Commissioned by Baron von Parpart-von Bonstetten, it was built from 1861 to 1863 and partly modernized around the turn of the century.

This international award-winning museum offers a rich variety of insights into castle life over the last 800 years.

Lenzburg Castle is one of Switzerland"s oldest and most important strongholds.

The Castello Visconteo served as the seat of the Visconti Dukes of Milan from 1513 to 1798.

The ruins of the Castello Mesocco tower impressively on a ledge above the Italian-speaking southern valley of Mesolcina (Misox).

Picturesque Oberhofen Castle is situated on the shores of Lake Thun. A branch of Bern's Historical Museum, it houses today an important exhibition of Bernese living.

The Château de Prangins was built in the 18th century by Louis Guiguer, a Swiss banker living in Paris, and has hosted illustrious guests from Voltaire to Joseph Bonaparte.

This magnificent castle with its glorious grounds enjoys a superb location high above Lake Constance.

The impressive castle at Sargans, with its fascinating museum and fine restaurant, brings the Middle Ages vividly to life.

Winter hike from Savognin up to Riom and from there up to the hamlet of Tigignas

The medieval towns of Sion and Sierre lie just 15km apart in Switzerland`s chief wine-growing region.

The castle of Spiez, the "Golden Court at Lake Wendel" is one of the most beautiful and impressive testimonies to Bernese history at Lake Thun.

The unconventional architecture and décor of the Palazzo Castelmur which unites Moorish and Gothic styles is fascinating.

The castle at Tarasp, built in 1040, is the symbol of the Lower Engadine, looking out over the valley.

Thun's fascinating History Museum is located in a unique castle tower which was built by Berchtold V of Zähringen in 1195. Perched high above the town, it provides a good general picture of the region's cultural development during more than 2000 years.

One of the most impressive displays of our country's wildlife is the antlers displayed by the stag. The largest mammal in the region expresses its strength and its feelings every year during the mating season.

17th and 18th Century furniture and decoration.

The "Pré-Giroud" fortress was built between 1937 and 1941 and is a typical pre-World War II example of fortification work. The fortress was built in order to protect the Col de Jougne.

Castle Interior, outbuildings and gardens from the 17th to the 19th Century.
From the cellar to the living chambers, both the original furniture and decoration of the castle have almost completely been preserved.

This magnificent medieval town was built around an area planted with large trees. Antique shops, handicraft shops, art galleries and restaurants can be found here. Every year a famous second-hand goods market is held in the town over the last weekend in September. The sale of antiquities and handicrafts, art gallery and restaurants. A renowned antiquities market is held here on the last September weekend of every year.

Vaumarcus castle: a historic building a gourmet restaurant, boutiques. An administrative centre, the regional training centre for small and medium-sized businesses, services, exhibitions, a prehistoric gallery and the Marc Jurt Foundation. Panoramic views of Lake Neuchâtel.

Viticulture – a historical perspective. Changing exhibitions. The museum is situated in the beautiful Boudry Castle, centrepiece of the Neuenburg vineyards. Oenology library. Opportunities to sample wines and regional products.

The Polish Museum in Rapperswil Castle is the work of Polish emigrees and their Swiss friends.

Restored by Mario Botta.

Magnificent summer residence of the patrician Besenval family

Visitors can see the famous prison, the chambers of the lords of the castle, the feasting hall and the chamber of coats of arms, as well as the chapel.

Formerly the scene of imperial parties – now one of the finest medieval ruined castles in Switzerland: well away from the traffic, on a rocky crag that falls steeply away on three sides, are the partially restored walls of Grasburg castle. There are 140 steps to climb up to the castle. The well-preserved ruin can be explored in safety and is a popular destination for families, schools and hiking groups.

There are so many legends and historical tales associated with this building, its inhabitants, and its destruction in 1499. The castle was the ancestral home of the barons of Vaz. It is located on the trading route from Chur via Lenzerheide into the Landwasser valley, going all the way to Davos and then over the Albula Pass into the Engadin. It is a cultural monument of national importance, protected by the state. In recent years, the ruined castle has been restored at great expense and made into an accessible attraction for the general public.

For about 1000 years, Alt Bechburg has towered over the Augstbach valley above Holderbank: formerly a huge, proud castle, built in about 1050 by the barons of Bechburg. The castle was destroyed by fire in 1713 and never rebuilt. Nowadays it is a fine viewpoint. The vast Manna Table (9x11 metres), an Expo.02 project, is a nice place for visitors to the castle to rest a while.

Today the vineyards of the Crest Castle, located in the environs of Geneva, extend over more than 15 hectares. A variety of wines are grown here, from Chasselas to Cabernet to Merlot.

Winery Schloss Salenegg

Château de Villa

North-east of Balsthal rises the Neu-Falkenstein ruin, built by the Bechburgs in the 12th century. The main period of rebuilding was after the big earthquake in 1356. 1798 saw the destruction of the proud castle in a fire. Today, Neu-Falkenstein is a site of national importance. It is open to the public and can be hired for holiday camps or special events.