SWITZERLAND ~ Chillon Castle - Montreux ~

... Lovely postcard from a new "Vintage" Travel Poster by Christophe Bertschy, a Swiss graphic designer... this well-preserved medieval fortress is located on a rock on the banks of Lake Geneva with a stunning backdrop of the Swiss Alps... for nearly four centuries, Chillon was the residence and profitable toll station of the counts of Savoy... more than 400,000 visitors a year come to see the castle with its 14th-century murals, underground vaults, state rooms and bedroom from the Bernese period, which has been preserved in its original state... this moated castle is Switzerland's most visited historical building... Thanks a lot dear Andrene!¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The rocky island on which the castle sits was both a form of natural protection and a strategic position to control passage from the north to the south of Europe. The castle took on the oval shape of the genuine island upon which it was built. It is approximately 100m long and 50m wide. It also took its name from the rock; the word "Chillon" meant "rocky platform" in an ancient language.

The history of the castle is marked by three great periods: those of the Savoy family, the Bernese bailiffs and the Canton of Vaud.

Chillon Castle has around 300 items on display throughout. With the exception of the furniture, weapons and armour, all of the items exhibited here were found during the archaeological digs carried out at the castle from 1896 to 1903.

© BERTSCHY.CO

 

Stamp: 

Flowers | Plants

(Issued 08-03-2012)