Chillon Castle, Switzerland VR 360

It is hard to find an ancient castle in the world that is not shrouded in secrets, legends or tragic events. Château de Chillon, located on the shores of Lake Geneva just 3 kilometers from Montreux in the canton of Vaud, is no exception. In the XIII century these lands belonged to the Counts of Savoy. Two centuries later the castle was captured by the Bernese, and at the end of the 18th century the French regained control of the territory and proclaimed the Republic of Leman. In 1803, the region became part of the reconstituted Swiss Confederation and is now an autonomous French-speaking canton of Switzerland. The first written mention of the castle dates back to 1005, however, there is a possibility that its foundation dates back to the 9th century. Chillon is built on a rock slightly above the lake level and is connected to the land by a bridge. The side of the castle facing the road is a strong stone wall fortified with three towers, while the opposite part of the castle includes a residential wing.