Colombier Castle

Colombier, Switzerland

Colombier Castle was built in the 11th or 12th century as a fortified tower over the ruins of the Roman villa. It expanded in the 13th Century and by the 16th century had reached its present appearance. 

One of the largest Roman era villas in Switzerland was excavated from under the castle in 1840-42 by Frédéric Dubois de Montperreux. It was built in multiple stages between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD into a palatial mansion with a peristyle, at least two baths with mosaics and frescoes and terraced gardens. 

In 1806, Colombier Castle was converted into a military hospital. Starting in 1824 it was used by the Federal militias as a parade ground and was converted into a barracks and given an expanded arsenal. In 1877 it became the official barracks of the 2. Division, which later became Field Division 2. In 2003, the Army XXI reforms dissolved the Division and in 2004 the barracks became an infantry training center.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Switzerland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Francesca Durante (10 months ago)
I visited it on the occasion of the Salento festival. It is a beautiful structure and tastefully furnished inside.
Salvatore Croce (15 months ago)
A very beautiful castle with a restaurant inside, the food is very good!
Patrick GRASSIN (2 years ago)
Pretty building, military cannot be visited.
fred (3 years ago)
Very well eaten! And a great frame.
Mireille Matthey (3 years ago)
Very good meal, very friendly staff. Very pleasant welcome. Beautiful castle room location
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Beckov Castle

The Beckov castle stands on a steep 50 m tall rock in the village Beckov. The dominance of the rock and impression of invincibility it gaves, challenged our ancestors to make use of these assets. The result is a remarkable harmony between the natural setting and architecture.

The castle first mentioned in 1200 was originally owned by the King and later, at the end of the 13th century it fell in hands of Matúš Èák. Its owners alternated - at the end of the 14th century the family of Stibor of Stiborice bought it.

The next owners, the Bánffys who adapted the Gothic castle to the Renaissance residence, improved its fortifications preventing the Turks from conquering it at the end of the 16th century. When Bánffys died out, the castle was owned by several noble families. It fell in decay after fire in 1729.

The history of the castle is the subject of different legends.