Leuk Castle

Last updated
Leuk Castle
Leuk in  Switzerland
Bischofsschloss Leuk 20 12 2014 01.jpg
Leuk Castle
Reliefkarte Wallis blank.png
Red pog.svg
Leuk Castle
Switzerland adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Leuk Castle
Coordinates 46°18′58″N7°38′02″E / 46.31619°N 7.633858°E / 46.31619; 7.633858
Site history
Built13th century

Leuk Castle or Bishop's Castle is a castle in the municipality of Leuk of the Canton of Valais in Switzerland.

Contents

History

The castle was originally built in the 13th century above the road from the Rhone valley over the Gemmi Pass. It was built about 60 meters (200 ft) west of the 12th century Viztum Tower, which had been built to guard the road. During the 12th century, the Bishop of Sion had gradually expanded his power in Valais. The local noble Leuk family built a small fort that was the foundation of the current castle. At the beginning of the 13th century they were forced to donate their lands in Leuk to the Bishop of Sion. They were then granted Leuk as a fief to hold for the bishop. Soon thereafter the Leuk family vanishes from the historical record. Around this time, the Bishop of Sion expanded the small castle into a much larger building that served as a home and administrative center. The fief of Leuk passed through the Ayent family, the Blonay and then around 1350 the Raron family. [1]

Castle site

The main tower is square tower with about 9 meters (30 ft) long sides. The tower is surrounded by an irregular ring wall. The complex includes two rectangular residential buildings. The tower was probably built in the 12th century while the residential buildings are from the early to mid 13th century. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valais</span> Canton of Switzerland

Valais, more formally, the Canton of Valais, is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. It is composed of thirteen districts and its capital and largest city is Sion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sion, Switzerland</span> Municipality in Valais, Switzerland

Sion is a Swiss town, a municipality, and the capital of the canton of Valais and of the district of Sion. As of December 2020 it had a population of 34,978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leuk</span> Municipality in Valais, Switzerland

Leuk is a municipality in the district of Leuk in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2013, the former municipality of Erschmatt merged into the municipality of Leuk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tourbillon Castle</span> Castle in Sion, Switzerland

Tourbillon Castle is a castle in Sion in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is situated on a hill and faces the Basilique de Valère, located on the opposite hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valère Basilica</span> Church in Valais, Switzerland

The Valère Basilica, also called Valère castle, is a fortified Roman Catholic church situated in Sion in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is located on a hill and faces the Château de Tourbillon, situated on the opposite hill. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stockalper Palace</span> Historic site in Brig-Glis

The Stockalper Palace is a castle in Brig-Glis, Switzerland. It was built between 1658 and 1678 by Kaspar Stockalper, a silk merchant of Brig. The Stockalper Palace was the largest private construction in Switzerland at the time. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frohberg Castle</span>

Frohberg Castle is a medieval castle ruin in the Swiss municipality of Aesch in the canton of canton of Basel-Land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marschlins Castle</span>

Marschlins Castle is a castle in the village of Igis of the municipality of Landquart of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tschanüff Castle</span> Ruined castle in Switzerland

Tschanüff Castle is a ruined castle in the former municipality of Ramosch of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jörgenberg Castle</span> Castle in Switzerland

Jörgenberg Castle is a castle in the municipality of Waltensburg/Vuorz of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiez Castle</span> Historic site in Spiez

Spiez Castle is a castle in the municipality of Spiez of the Swiss canton of Bern. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guardaval Castle</span> Ruined castle in Switzerland

Guardaval Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Madulain of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strassberg Castle</span> Ruined castle in Churwalden, Graubünden, Switzerland

Strassberg Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Churwalden of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raron family</span>

Von Raron was an influential noble family in the Valais in the late medieval period.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beauregard Castle, Chippis</span> Castle ruins in Chippis, Switzerland

Beauregard Castle is a ruined castle on the territory of Chippis in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It is situated on a rocky spur at the entrance to the Val d'Anniviers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gestelnburg</span>

The ruins of the Gestelnburg castle are situated above the village of Niedergesteln in Valais, Switzerland, on a rocky ridge called Feschti. The castle was probably built during the 12th century by the powerful Barons de la Tour, which are also called in German Herrn vom Turn. The rule of this family ended during the wars against the bishop of Sion in the second half of the 14th century, and the castle was finally destroyed by the Upper Valaisans in 1384. Exactly 600 years later, a project was started to restore the ruins and make them more easily accessible. Behind the castle there is a cave called Feschtiloch, which originates from the last ice age. The Gestelnburg is a Swiss cultural property of national importance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zen-Ruffinen Castle</span> Castle in Leuk, Switzerland

Zen-Ruffinen Castle or Loretan also known as de Werra is a castle in the municipality of Leuk of the Canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saillon Castle</span>

Saillon Castle or Bayard Tower is a ruined castle in the municipality of Saillon of the Canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saxon Castle</span>

Saxon Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Saxon of the Canton of Valais in Switzerland.

References

  1. 1 2 "Wallis : Schlösser Leuk: Bischoffschloss". www.swisscastles.ch. Retrieved 17 November 2020.