The Countenance Of The Renowned Castle Chillon

Switzerland, like so many European nations, is a place littered with so much history and so many places of historical significance that one can't help but become overwhelmed by the power of the past. Among my favorite places in Switzerland, both for the historical role and the breathtaking view from the parapets, would have to be Chateau de Chillon.

The site where the castle stands is recognized as having been colonized by people as early as the time of the Roman Empire, though the castle itself has only been mentioned in historical records sometime in 1160. Being a medieval castle, Chillon has seen a fair share of scheming, transformation, and, likely, warfare. The first legal owners were the heirs of the Savoy lineage.

The castle had the favor of the Savoy counts, mainly because the location was placed in a vital area between the territories of opposing peoples deeper into what is now Swiss territory and the home of the counts, Italy. Of course, there's also the spectacular view that the uplifted ramparts give you of the splendid Lake of Geneva, which is nothing short of breathtaking.

Restorations of several areas of the ancient citadel, most notably sections built before the House of Savoy made expansions to the original castle, are undergoing. The Swiss know what a historical treasure they have in Chillon and aren't about to let such magnificence and history be weathered so badly by decay.