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Date: 10-4-2007

Chateau de Chillon ~ my passage through time Part 2

Writen by: Paul le Roux

Chateau

In 1836 the opening between the first and second courtyard was made for cannon to be moved through when the castle was to serve as artillery and ammunition depot as well as a prison. Moving through and on into the Constable's Grand Hall of the Savoy period, the 13th century oak pillars greeted me, prompting my amazement as to what the current replacement cost would be. Looking about me for any wood that may hopefully be stacked in a corner or along some wall, I imagined stoking that grand 15th century fireplace to life as the cold air, in turn, stoked a shiver through me, prompting some brief exercise upstairs into the old festive hall of the Lords of the Castle, The Aula Nova to help warm up a little. I remember the relative warmth of this now-turned museum, as a few rays of sunlight finally joined my tour.

The bedroom adjacent the "Camera Paramenti" looked a bit cold, and could've used some central heating back in the 13th century, I'm sure. Nevertheless, it was surely home to someone of some social standing as the lack of bedrooms in this grand fortress reminded me it wasn't actually a hotel those days. The heraldry displays as I made my way through the Knight's Hall on my way to take a nap in the Duke's Chamber (it seemed a cozier bedroom than the last) somehow gave me the feeling that a battle might possibly have been a much more sociable event back then than it is today. The occupant of this room could access his personal chapel below via his own spiral staircase. Ascending it he could even spy on the guards to catch the odd napper at his post in the sentries gallery. But, passing the drawing room as well as the latrines I mentioned earlier (where approximately 7 out of 10 visitors will sneak a peek out down below to see where it had all once landed centuries before) I navigated the narrow stairway to a 14th-century apartment, and on through to the inner courtyard. My memory meanders a bit of its own maze here as I seem to remember having spied a 13th-century vending machine, and digging a 20th-century coin from my pocket, I also somehow seem to remember having purchased a soda from it, briefly saying "Thank you", and then seated myself for a while as I sipped and pondered the small watchtower that formed part of the Castle's northern defense system. I must have been tired by this time. Perhaps I was actually still sound asleep in the Duke's Chamber....never know! Anyhow, let's get back to what I can indeed remember, shall we?

The Chapel of the Counts and Dukes of Savoy, with its illuminated ceiling, and having under floor heating that helps to maintain the climate for better conservation of the beautiful wall paintings (with projection system for enhancement and help recreate how the chapel would originally have looked), is quite something of a sight to take in all at once. I browsed the ancient ornaments, sensing a certain peace about the place. I think I'll stay here a little while and afford myself a little contemplative quiet time and let it all sink in slowly...

Authour: Paul le Roux is a frequent traveller. He has travelled intensively to many countries around the world like Germany, England and Switzerland. He is also the administrator of WebWobot Search Engine.

Part 1 : Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 1)
Part 3 : Switzerland - Chateau de Chillon (Part 3)

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