Clan Rising
Aigle Castle today

Switzerland · Still standing

Aigle Castle

Aigle Castle is a medieval castle in the municipality of Aigle in the Canton of Vaud, Switzerland, listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The extant stone fortress grew around a medieval donjon and curtain wall and after late-medieval rebuilding served as a Bernese administrative seat; today it houses museums and is open to the public.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

1200

Its prime

1488

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1488

What Aigle Castle looked like in its prime.

Compact, pale-beige stone curtain walls enclose a tightly clustered group of roofs and towers above a foreground of vineyards and with Alpine peaks behind. Several round corner towers rise from the walls, each topped by steep conical orange-brown tiled roofs; the central keep rises higher with multi-tiered, yellowish tiled roofs and a flagstaff. The outer wall shows narrow arrow slits and a crenellated walking parapet; overall the ensemble appears complete and fortified at its prime.

Its story

The story of Aigle Castle.

The Barons of Aigle are first mentioned in 1179, and some time before 1200 they became 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, a family apparently closely related to the barons, in exchange for their ancestral castle in the Valais.

In the 14th century the Lords of Compey inherited the Saillon rights and made Aigle their headquarters, likewise as vassals of Savoy. The Burgundian Wars of 1474–1477, which brought the Swiss Confederation into conflict with Duke Charles the Bold of Burgundy, ended their tenure: after the war the Compey family were unable to recover their title to town or castle.

Bern had the castle rebuilt in 1488 and made it the seat of a provincial governor. In 1804 it was acquired by the community of Aigle, and it served as a cantonal jail until 1976. Today the castle houses museums and is open to the public, listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1488.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Aigle Castle, including 1 interior: inner courtyard (from the gate). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Vineyard approachMain gate and Maison de la Dîme (adjacent)Curtain wall and battlementsSouth corner donjon (massive tower)Central keep and rooflineInner courtyard (from the gate)

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Whose castle

Clans who held Aigle Castle.

The families that held Aigle Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Saillon

    Granted as a Savoyard fief to Jacob and Peter of Saillon in 1232; held into the 14th century.

  • Compey

    The Lords of Compey inherited the Saillon rights in the 14th century and held Aigle until the Burgundian Wars of 1474–1477.

From the archive

Aigle Castle on paper: the measured plan and period views.

The survey plan and photographs below are the ground truth this page's reconstructions are checked against, drawn and photographed while the castle was still a working garrison. Every image is public-domain or openly licensed, with its source named.

Aigle: Schloss, Aigle Castle

Aigle: Schloss

· State Archives of Baden-Württemberg (via Europeana)

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Questions about Aigle Castle

What is the history of Aigle Castle?

Aigle Castle began as a small fortification in the late 12th century, growing around a donjon and curtain wall. The Lords of Compey held it in the 14th and 15th centuries, until Bern attacked during the Burgundian Wars and devastated the castle. Bern rebuilt it in 1488 and made it the seat of a provincial governor. It later became a cantonal jail and then a museum.

What is inside Aigle Castle?

Inside Aigle Castle are an inner courtyard and the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin. The museum occupies 17 rooms containing objects linked to viticulture and wine-making, including a 1706 wine press, stills, bottles, corkscrews, wine-tasting cups, glasses and decanters. Other rooms present reconstructed scenes, local costumes and an exhibition of more than 800 wine labels.

Who owns Aigle Castle now?

Aigle Castle is owned by the community of Aigle. It was acquired by the community in 1804, and it is also designated a class A Swiss cultural property of national significance.

Why was Aigle Castle built, and what was it used for?

Aigle Castle was built to protect the settlement of Aigle and to watch the Rhône valley and routes leading towards the Pays-d'Enhaut and the Col du Pillon. Its use later changed from a fortified headquarters and administrative seat to a cantonal jail, and since 1976 it has housed a museum open to the public.

Where is Aigle Castle?

Aigle Castle is in the municipality of Aigle, in the Canton of Vaud. It stands in a vineyard landscape, with Alpine peaks behind it.

When was Aigle Castle built?

Aigle Castle was first raised around 1200, placing its origins in the late 12th or early 13th century. The early fortification was later expanded with a fortified donjon and curtain wall, and Bern rebuilt the castle in 1488 after the Burgundian Wars.

Was Aigle Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Yes. Bernese forces attacked Aigle Castle in August 1475 during the Burgundian Wars, setting fire to the tower and devastating the castle. The Compey family lost its title afterwards, and Bern rebuilt the castle in 1488.

Which family or clan held Aigle Castle?

The Saillon family held Aigle as a Savoyard fief from 1232 into the 14th century. The Lords of Compey then inherited the Saillon rights and held Aigle until the Burgundian Wars of 1474–1477.

What did Aigle Castle look like in its prime?

In its prime, Aigle Castle was a compact, pale-beige stone fortress with curtain walls, several round corner towers and a taller central keep. The towers had steep conical orange-brown tiled roofs, while the keep had multi-tiered yellowish tiled roofs and a flagstaff. Arrow slits, crenellated battlements and surrounding vineyards completed its fortified appearance.

Is Aigle Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Aigle Castle is still standing and intact rather than a ruin. Its present form includes the medieval donjon and curtain wall, later additions by the Lords of Compey, and rebuilding by Bern in 1488; restoration work began in 1973 and continued through a series of restorations.

Can you visit Aigle Castle?

Yes, Aigle Castle is open to the public. Since 1976 it has housed the Musée de la Vigne et du Vin, while the adjacent Maison de la Dîme houses the Musée de l’Étiquette. It is also a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

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