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Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Tourbillon Castle(Chateau de Tourbillon)

Situated on top of Tourbillon hill in the canton of Valais, Switzerland, Tourbillon castle is a medieval monument that rises 180 meters above the city of Sion.

It was built in the late 13th century under the direction of Bishop Boniface de Challant as a defensive structure. It is perched on the top of a steep rocky hill and also served as the residence of the bishops of Sion. 

The castle is protected by nature and has a very steep terrain that surrounds the structure. Accessible only from the east or west, it consists of a courtyard protected by surrounding walls. 

Here are the Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Tourbillon Castle

1. The Castle is on Tourbillon Hill 182mtrs above the City of Sion

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The Tourbillon Castle is the highest medieval structure in the city of Sion. Situated on top of the hill it rises 182 meters above the city, and it is one if not the most famous landmark in the City. 

Tourbillon hill forms a natural plateau with an average length of 200meters and a maximum width of 50 meters. The castle rests on the western part of the hill overlooking the city.

The 15th-century Cathedral of Notre-Dame-du-Glarier, the conical Witches Tower, and the Valais Art Museum are other important landmarks in the city of Sion.

2. It was the residence of the Bishops of Sion

The Tourbillon Castle became the main residence of the Bishops of Sion from the time of its construction until Guichard Tavelli, who preferred the Soie Castle.

After Tavelli bought Majorie Castle in 1373, Tourbillon became a temporary residence for the bishop but retained its military importance. On several occasions, Tourbillon was taken by force by Tavelli’s enemies.

Guichard Tavel or Tavelli was a prince-bishop of Sion between 1342 and 1375. He bought the Château de la Majorie on January 15, 1373, and made it the new episcopal residence. 

He was assassinated following a conflict with the de la Tour family on August 8th, 1375 by Antoine de la Tour.

3. It is Recognized as a Monument of National Importance

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Tourbillon Castle was recognized as a historical monument by the canton of Valais at the beginning of the 20th century.

In 1963, a Pro Tourbillon association was created and two years later the Swiss League for National Heritage organized the sale of a gold shield which enabled consolidation work to begin.

In 1970, Tourbillon was recognized as a monument of national importance. The last major consolidation work took place between 1993 and 1999.

4. The Castle was Rebuilt in the 1440s

A large part of the castle was destroyed during the Raron affair in 1417 and Bishop Wilhelm V of Raron had to flee to Bern. The castle was then rebuilt in the 1440s to 1450s by Bishop Guillaume VI of Raron.

As part of the reconstruction, the chapel was repaired and painted with Gothic art which is still visible.

Gothic art was a style of medieval art that developed in Northern France out of Romanesque art in the 12th century AD. It spread to all of Western Europe, and much of Northern, Southern, and Central Europe.

5. Learn more about the 15th Century Chapel in the Castle

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The castle ruins are located on a rocky spire above the city of Sion. Reaching the site requires climbing steep stairs that wind around the hill. 

The 15th-century chapel is located in the southeast corner. The chapel’s frescoes are still intact despite the fire that destroyed the castle.

Fresco is a technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid or wet lime plaster. Water is used for the dry-powder pigment to merge with the plaster, and with the setting of the plaster, the painting becomes an integral part of the wall.

6. Visit the Basilique de Valere

The Basilique de Valere is a fortified church situated in Sion in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is situated on a hill and faces the Tourbillon Castle which is located on the opposite hill.

The castle of Valère is located on the Valère hill at 615 meters (2,018 ft) above sea level and dominates the town of Sion in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.

The castle’s church is located at the top of the hill, while the fortified village and its walls surround it. The relief of the Valère hill is very uneven and access to the castle is only possible from the northeast.

7. Catch the Beautiful view of Rhone Valley

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The walk to the Castle is very Steep but once you get to the top, you can be able to view the beautiful Rhone Valley.

Switzerland’s Rhone Valley is a wide-open valley that is home to a host of easily accessible and fully bolted rock climbing. The area south of Lake Geneva to Martigny is where you’ll find the main concentration of climbing areas and it can all be reached from Geneva airport in less than two hours by car.

 When the weather is bad up high, you can usually find some dry rock at these warmer, lower-altitude venues. Factor in the stunning views of snow-capped peaks and it makes for a fine place to climb.

8. Enjoy the view of the medieval old town from Tourbillon Castle

On top of the Tourbillon Castle, Visitors can have a very good view of the Medieval Old Town.

Medieval old Town is the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. Built on a narrow hill and bordered on three sides by the river Aare, its compact layout has remained essentially unchanged since its construction during the twelfth to the fifteenth century.

Despite a major fire in 1405, after which much of the city was rebuilt in sandstone, and substantial construction efforts in the eighteenth century, Bern’s old city has retained its medieval character.

The Old City is home to Switzerland’s tallest minster, Churches, bridges, and a collection of Fountains. It is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site since 1983 and is a good example of incorporating the modern world into a medieval city. 

9. Marvel at Mural Paintings inside the Castle

The Tourbillon Chapel has undergone two different cycles of mural paintings. One was during its construction in the 14th century and the other in the 15th century.

While the construction of the latter slightly damaged the former, it helped above all to preserve it. For both cycles, the paintings were located in the same place which is on the chevet wall, around the north and south windows, on the south wall and around its windows, on the vault, on the north wall, and finally on the triumphal arch.

A mural is any piece of graphic artwork that is painted or applied directly to a wall, ceiling, or another permanent substrate. Mural techniques include fresco, mosaic, graffiti, and marouflage. 

10. How to get to Castle Tourbillon

There are three ways to get to Tourbillon Castle from Montreux. Montreux is a Swiss Municipality and town on the Shoreline of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps.

Train: Visitors can take a Train from Montreux to Tourbillon which takes 1hr 5mins.  Taxi: Visitors can take a taxi from Montreux to Tourbillon which takes 44minSelf-drive: You can also self-drive from Montreux to Tourbillon which takes 44mins.