Aigle Castle

Aigle Castle is a castle in the municipality of Aigle of the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

History

The Barons of Aigle were first mentioned in 1179. At that time they had a small fortification, that became the center of the modern castle, along the road over the Col du Pillon and Col des Mosses passes of the Rhone. However, only traces of this first castle have been archaeologically discovered.

Some time before 1200, the Barons of Aigle ended up as vassals of the powerful Counts of Savoy. In 1232, Count Thomas of Savoy granted Aigle as a fief to the brothers Jacob and Peter of Saillon in exchange for their ancestral castle in Valais. The Saillon family seems to have been closely related with the barons of Aigle.

In the second half of the 13th Century, Aigle expanded and received a city charter. The castle was rebuilt, with a fortified donjon and a curtain wall.

In the 14th Century, the Lords of Compey inherited the rights of the Saillon family. They were also vassals of the Counts of Savoy and made Aigle into their headquarters. They added turrets and in 1450 built a massive tower in the south corner. This tower was an example of late French Donjon architecture.

Starting in the mid-15th Century, Bern tried to control the city, to gain control of the important mountain passes into the Rhone Valley. Their first unsuccessful attempt was in 1464. The Burgundian Wars (1474-1477), which brought the Swiss Confederation into conflict with Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy, brought another opportunity. Because Savoy had joined the Burgundian side, Swiss forces attacked the Savoy town of Aigle and devastated the castle. Jean de Compey had to flee and was killed soon afterward in Vevey. His son died fighting for Charles the Bold.

After the war, the Compey family were unable to recover their title to the town or castle. Bern had the castle rebuilt again in 1488 and made it the seat of a provincial governor. The representatives of Bern resided here until the French invasion and creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798.

In 1804, the castle was acquired by the community of Aigle and until 1976 it was used as a cantonal jail. Since then, it has been a museum open to the public.

Castle site

Today the castle is home to Musée de la Vigne et du Vin (Vine and wine museum). Next to the castle gates is the Maison de la Dîme, which houses the Musée de l’Étiquette (Wine-Labels Museum).

See also

  • List of castles in Switzerland
  • Château

References

External links

Coordinates: 

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
AnneM
14 October 2015
Nice museom. View is great
Elv
16 August 2022
Классная дегустация
Holmes Place Switzerland
Besuchen Sie die imposante Burg und nutzen Sie dies für einen Gang.
Load more comments
foursquare.com
7.9/10
3,900 people have been here
Map
Chemin de la Poya du Château, 1860 Aigle, Switzerland Get directions
Sat 8:00 AM–Midnight
Sun 10:00 AM–10:00 PM
Mon 6:00 PM–7:00 PM
Tue 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Wed 24 Hours
Thu 10:00 AM–11:00 AM

Chateau D'Aigle on Foursquare

Aigle Castle on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Résidence du Chamossaire

starting $91

Alpine Classic Hotel

starting $0

Hotel Central Résidence

starting $49

Alpe Fleurie Hotel & Residence

starting $136

Apartment Chante Gryonne B4

starting $684

Apartment Grand-Pont 15

starting $686

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Grotte aux Fées (Switzerland)

The Grotte aux Fées ('Cave of the Fairies') in the cliffs above

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Berneuse

The Berneuse (or la Berneuse) is a mountain of the western Bernese

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Château de Chillon

The Chillon Castle (Château de Chillon) is located on the shore of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Swiss Vapeur Parc

The Swiss Vapeur Parc is a miniature park in Le Bouveret, a village on

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Territet–Glion funicular railway

The Territet–Glion funicular railway (français. Chemin de fer fu

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Alimentarium

Alimentarium is a food museum near City:Vevey (Country:Switzerland)

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Lac de Montriond

Lac de Montriond is a lake at Montriond in the Haute-Savoie department

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Verbier

Verbier is a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, in the canton of Valais. It

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Neuschwanstein Castle

Neuschwanstein Castle (German: Schloss Neuschwanstein, pronounced ])

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tower of London

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Château de Gruyères

The Castle of Gruyères (in french: château de Gruyères), located in th

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castel Sant'Angelo

The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as the Castel Sant'Angelo, is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Castello Scaligero (Sirmione)

Замок Скалігерів (італ. Castello Scaligero) —

See all similar places