Château de Chillon

Saturday before last was a gorgeous day again, slightly cool with a very blue sky, albeit hazy in places. We decided to visit the Castle of Chillon, a 900-year-old castle on the shore of Lake Geneva. The castle has a rich history (as do most castles I suspect, with the possible exception of the Disney ones).

Chillon was made famous by the poet Lord Byron, who visited the castle in 1816 and, inspired by a true story, wrote the fictional poem The Prisoner of Chillon. The poem is about the true story of the monk Bonivard, who was chained to a pillar in the dungeon as a political prisoner for six years. We were in the dungeon for about three minutes and were rather cold; it's hard to imagine someone surviving for six years there with limited movement or clothing.

Unrelatedly, some time after his 1536 release he was given the task of compiling a history of Geneva. This manuscript went to John Calvin for correction. I suppose this just supports the theory (which we all hold dear I'm sure) that it's a small world when you know someone Reformed!

Well, we would have preferred it a little warmer but we're glad we went during off-season (less busy), and since it wasn't a weekday we didn't have the choice of a guided tour -- which is fine because exploring castles is more fun when it's self-guided. Unlike many North American historical sites, virtually all areas were accessible and all items within reach (though not always permittedly); it made for a more authentic, less modern museum-like experience.

The day would have been even better if the camera battery had gone and recharged itself during the week, but apparently that requires human intervention. One can have a whole pocketful of memory cards but without a charged battery one is just another helpless tourist relying on memories and such.

Luckily we managed a few nice shots. (Yes, I borrowed the above one for elsewhere... we never managed to get any decent exterior shots.)


We had hoped to go skiing but there just wasn't enough snow for us, after having enjoyed Mt. Baker in Washington over Christmas. But as far as photos go, a bit of white is far better than none.


This was the view from the castle. The spindly supports holding up that really long raised highway didn't look very sturdy to me, but I trust the Swiss know what they're doing.


A very quaint inner courtyard.


Another courtyard... this castle seemed to have a fair number of them.


Proof that we were both there.


This aerial view of the castle looks suspiciously like a miniature model situated somewhere in the basement. (Can castles have basements? It just doesn't sound right.)


This is where poor Bonivard had to hang out for 6 years. Lord Byron carved his name into the other side of the pillar, where it's nicely protected with a hunk of plexiglass. Camera was dying, so you simply get to imagine it.


This is a view from the top of the castle. It doesn't really look like it's that far up, but then cameras rarely get it right.


On the way home, we tried to get some shots of the scenery, but it was through the window of a speeding train, with many obstructions whizzing by, and the sky was a little hazy.