Habsburg
A grey Saturday called for a gentle expedition together with a trip to the Bally shoe outlet store. (The latter was a right off as their prices – even heavily discounted – are totally outrageous, enough said).
We were much more successful in our visit to the Habsburg Castle. This is a tiny little castle in Canton Aargau, less than 45 minutes west of Zürich. It’s size belies it’s historical importance though, as it was where the Habsburg family started out and from where they went on to become probably the most important family in Europe in the 1500s-1700s, when they were the Holy Roman Emperors. (I studied them in great depth for my history A level many moons ago and have never forgotten how fascinating I found them). By the 1700s they held control over great swathes of Europe – the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic, northern Serbia, much of Italy, not to mention the lands of the Spanish branch of the family. They caused a lot of the Pope’s no end of trouble, as neither Popes nor Emperors would accede to the power of the other. Fascinating stuff.
The castle was built from 1020 onwards, with additions made until around 1300, by which time the Habsburg family had moved on to grander things and settled in Austria – so it’s pretty much 1,000 years old and still standing. The inside has been renovated to make sure it’s safe, but the walls are original and about 3 feet thick. There’s a small exhibition about the history of the castle in the tower.
As far as I know it’s the only castle in Switzerland where you can also eat lunch. The restaurant is on the left hand side part where all the windows are – the food was excellent as were the views, but for some strange reason we were the only guests.
Maybe other people don’t get as excited about the historical significance of this little castle as I do. The teenagers certainly thought I was slightly bonkers, but lunch was good so they put up with me rabbiting on!
Helen
June 11th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
What a treat to be able to visit there, Helen. I’ve always loved castles. When I lived in Germany I was able to visit quite a few. Picnicking in castle ruins is something I’ve never forgotten. Have a great weekend!
June 11th, 2011 at 3:03 pm
O, I would love to visit this castle! A few years ago I was a week in Vienna and learned a lot about the Habsburg dynastie. Very interesting.
For me it is strange to read that the Netherlands were viewed as under Habsburg influence until the 1700’s. (I read that in Vienna as well.) I haven’t learned that in school – as far as I know, the Habsburg influence lasted only in the southern part of the Netherlands, today known as Belgium, that long. In the northern part of the Netherlands they were kicked out at the end of the 16th century.
I love reading about your visits all over Switzerland!
June 11th, 2011 at 3:33 pm
I would have loved it and lunch would have made it even more special.
June 11th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
I love castles too but the closest we get to them here is kasbahs. Looks lovely…same about the shoes.
June 11th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Funny you should mention the Habsburgs. I’m reading a fantasy/alternate history series by Eric Flint called 1632. The premise is a modern day coal-mining town in West Virginia, complete with union coal-miners is transported back in time to the middle of Germany during the 30 Years War. Its an interesting series. You would probably enjoy it more given your A levels. All I remember from my World Civ class during college was the treaty of Westphalia.
June 11th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Ooh, you must have had a different syllabus to us – Europe 1789-1914 and Britain 1815-1870 :(( but I’ve also been fascinated by the Habsburgs for years. Have you been to the Kyburg? (Another trip?! ;o)
There’s a youth hostel near here, too, where one of my daughters spent a week’s class camp… very cool rooms!
June 11th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
Helen, thank you. We too visited the Habsburg Castle, although 8 years ago (and had an excelllent lunch!), and your description prompted me to get out the photo albums. Goodness, my children were young then! My husband was the Hapsburg historian, and loved the thought of being where it all started, complete with a hawk circling as we left.
(Swiss ideas of renovating to make things “safe” still don’t seem right to my American mind – especially when I look at picutres of a 6-year old and a 10-year old leaning out windows and running on the stairs, re-enacting desperate battles to save the castle!)
June 12th, 2011 at 5:16 pm
We did all about the Habsburgs at school so it’s great to see where they all hung out! What a splendid castle. It would be brilliant to visit it. I can see why you were so interested. By the way, the walls are only a fraction thicker than the walls of our old farm house!