Neuchatel Castle, Switzerland

Neuchatel   Castle is located the municipality of Neuchatel in the Canton of Neuchatel in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage   of national significance.

Between the lake and Seyon River is a rocky headland. The lake, a navigable and commercial route, the Seyon River which  begins in the Val de Ruz and Basel's Eveche.

Such a landscape called out for a castle! Built at the end of 10th century, it founded the town and named it after itself.

Novum Castellum. Later Novum Castrum from the XII century, Neocomun in scholar's Greek in XVI century, Neufchatel in common language and then gradually transformed in Neuchatel from the mid XVIII century.

In German was called Nienburg and evolved to Nuvenbruch and then in 1725, in Neuenburg.

Rodolphe III, King of Burgundy, gave his wife Novum Castellum in 1011 as a gift. On this occasion he had an act written on  parchment on which the name of the town appears for the first time.

At seat of power, the castle accommodated lords, and sometimes their mothers, widows or daughters too, some of whom were true Stateswomen.

Neuchatel was under the   influence  of the Hapsburghs then Burgundies and finally the french for several centuries, until it passed into the hands of the  King of Prussia in 1707.

On 12th September 1814, Neuchatel became a Swiss canton whilst still remaining equally a principilaity of the Kings of Prussia.

This ambiguous situation resulted in some very heated internal tension.

On 1st march 1848, Neuchatel republicans set out from Le Locle, La Chaux - de - Fonds, the Val de - Travers  under   the orders of Fritz Couroisier and took over the castle, installing an interim government, presided over by Alexis - Marie Piaget.

Neuchatel   became a republic and at the same time, a fully recognised   Swiss canton.

The castle remains linked to power. The five State Councillors the cantonal executive work there and the 115 members of a Grand Council 

Between 1st April and 30th September, the castle is open to visitors at no charge.

Guided tours leave at 10 Am, 11 Am, 12 Pm,3 Pm and 4 Pm on Sundays and public holidays.