Castles & palaces

Leuca fortis – das starke Leuk! Bis ins 19. Jahrhundert war Leuk eines der kirchlichen und kulturellen Zentren des Wallis. Trutzige Türme, Schlösser und imposante Patrizierhäuser zeugen noch heute von der einstigen Macht, dem Selbstbewusstsein und der Widerstandskraft der Leuker.

The secrets of time are revealed in a magical place: the 18th-century Château des Monts. An extensive collection covers 500 years of watchmaking history. Unique and surprising exhibits such as automata, mechanical songbirds and pendulum clocks will enchant all visitors.

Hohenklingen Castle has been towering above the charming town of Stein am Rhein since the year 1200. The renovated castle attracts visitors interested in history as well as connoisseurs.

Schaffhausen is a town that has much to offer. Its mediaeval facades, 171 majestic oriel windows, winding alleyways, street cafes and restaurants combine with enchanting shops to give it a special appeal. This year there is a new way to experience Schaffhausen's old town.

Schaffhausen is one of the best-preserved mediaeval towns and is perfect for a guided tour.

Summer in the city? Absolutely. In the vibrant city of Thun, water is never more than a stone’s throw away. Take a dip in the refreshing water at the time-honoured Schwäbis river pool, watch the Aare surfers for that Hawaii feeling and enjoy the fresh air on the deck of the Blümlisalp to get the full Thun experience.

The medieval castle above the town of Thun is a striking focal point at the entrance to the Bernese Oberland region. This almost completely preserved symbol of power contains the Knights' Hall, one of the few surviving halls of its type from the Middle Ages.

Oberhofen Castle with its medieval keep and lake tower is located on the shore of Lake Thun. The castle, which dates back to the early 13th century, houses a living museum. The large castle park is supposed to be one of the most magnificent in the region of the Alps.

Reichenau Castle boasts a spectacular setting on the confluence of the Upper and Lower Rhine. The historic building is now being used by the Tscharner family as a winery.

The exhibit of the Thurgau History Museum in Frauenfeld Castle describes the eventful 15th century when the borders of today’s Canton Thurgau were formed. An insightful multimedia walk transports you into the fascinating world of knights, monasteries and provincial governors.

The name of this fortress is based on its geographical location: the Castello is located on a rock as dark as the feathers of a raven (from dialect “corbatt”).

The castle on Lake Thun stands in a delightful park surrounded by venerable old trees.

For around 1,000 years, Alt-Bechburg has towered over the Solothurn municipality of Holderbank from its position on a rocky outcrop. The well-preserved castle ruins not only offer a wonderful view, but also afford the opportunity to visit the remains of the curtain wall, the tower, the outer bailey and the gatehouse.

Castle A Pro is one of the most beautiful late Gothic pond houses in Switzerland. The magnificent interior houses exhibition rooms for art and minerals as well as a restaurant.

From the historic villages of Lavaux to the vertiginous peaks of the Rochers-de-Naye and the pristine waters of Lake Geneva, visiting Montreux Riviera is like stepping into a postcard. An immersion in the very heart of dramatic landscapes where great outdoors, panoramic views and the lifestyle are the keywords.

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

Located in the centre of today's city of Yverdon-les-Bains, the castle has undergone many transformations over the centuries.

The well-preserved castle of Neuchâtel, which is over 1,000 years old and from which the city gets its name, towers above the small city of Neuchâtel. From here, you have the best view for miles.

Waldegg Castle is rightly considered the most beautiful country manor of the Solothurn patriciate. Here, where ambassadors and the aristocracy once went in and out, visitors can immerse in the same bygone world today - and learn of a time when Solothurn was the seat of the French ambassadors with the aid of a modern, multimedia guide.

The enchanting Château de Pleujouse in the Jura could also have served as a location for filming the “Game of Thrones” TV series. Far from the madding crowd, you can dine in style in the centuries-old castle.

Founded around 1250 as a place to hold meetings and as a prison, Rätia Ampla Castle in Riom has been one of the most idiosyncratic cultural amenities in the Alps since 2006. Currently used as a theatre, the castle hosts the largest theatre and culture festival in Graubünden: the Origen Festival Cultural.

Laupen Castle towers high above the medieval town of the same name at the confluence of the rivers Sense and Sarine. The splendid fortress is the emblem of the region, and a protected monument of national importance.

There’s so much to do in Burgdorf Castle, with its unique combination of museum, restaurant and youth hostel. The new museum has many exciting things to reveal about the region and the wider world, while you can dine in a stately setting in the castle restaurant and then spend the night in the castle’s youth hostel. Live like the knights and damsels of old…

The people of Brig are proud of the Stockalper Palace, which was built in the 17th century by Kaspar Stockalper. Visiting the cellars, arcades and halls of the palace, then dreaming in the palace garden under rose bushes, enjoying the view of the monastery, the Jesuit church and Brig's Old Town with their towers - simply delightful!. In the palace halls are wallpaper and silk-paintings designed in Paris in the 18th century.

The palace on the edge of Lausanne's Old Town, just around the corner from the cathedral, is an architectural masterpiece, a showcase of the Florentine Renaissance – and a place full of charm.

Experience 800 years of history in the town‘s unparalleled architectural environment and in the museums of Werdenberg.

Perched high above Lake Constance and nestled in large parklands, this elegantly furnished castle was once the residence of the last emperor of France. In what is now the Napoleonic Museum, the original furnishings have been preserved, and the palace gardens have recently been restored.

How did people live in days of old when knights were bold? The eventful history of the castle acts as a prism through which you can learn a lot about the region and the people who have lived here for centuries.

Munot has been proudly overlooking the town of Schaffhausen for well over 400 years. The tower contains the quarters of the Munot watchman, who rings the famous Munot bell for five minutes every evening at 9 p.m. – by hand, of course, just like in 1589.