MORGES
CASTLE – LAKE GENEVA
Military and Arms Museum at Chateau de Morges
In
the 13th Century, the Dukes of Savoy acquired much of southern Switzerland
around modern lake Geneva, building fortresses to protect their holdings,
creating some of Europe’s more beautifully situated fortress chateaus
of square walls surrounding and inner courtyard with conical roves on
the corner round towers. The most famous is the Chateau Chillon of Byronic
legend (see Chateau Chillon), oft photographed for its location directly
on the lake waters. Lesser known is the example in the former fishing
village of Morges on the lake shore between Geneva and Lausanne.
The
Chateau de Morges is also on the lake shore, though less dramatically
separated by the boat marina and quays. The fortress at Morges is a magnificent
pure example of the ” Carre Savoyard” and has kept watch
over the Lake Geneva region (the Vaud) since its first construction in
1286 by Louis de Savoie. After the ouster of the Savoys by the Bernese
in the era of the Renaissance, the castle became the seat of the Bailiffs
of Bern in 1537; from which time date its towers. It lost is status as
a residence and became the arsenal for the cantonal government in 1803,
and in 1932, turned over to the city to house a museum. Four museums,
technically, all connected to the military and police.
The
Castle of Morges houses the Museums of Military of the Vaud (Militaire
Vaudois), Artillery (de L’Artillerie), Historic Battle Figurines
(Suisse Figurine Historique), and the Cantonal Police (La Gendarmarie
Vaudois). Spread throughout the castle, more interconnected in thematic
sections rather than separate museums, the extensive collection covering
arms and armor from medieval times through the Napoleonic age, world
wars and modern, offers a look into Switzerland’s real military
past, despite it renowned neutrality, (Switzerland is the place with
secret military bases hidden in mountain tops and its Swiss Guards are
the Papal police).
The medieval period shows a magnificent collection of arms and armor,
uniforms of Swiss soldiers in the services of foreign armies as well
as tunics, coats and headgear worn by the local militias, and retracing
the steps of individual personal armament. The Artillery section offers
forty pieces of heavy ordinance through the centuries, from the first
uses of gunpowder to modern times, supplemented with scale models and
technical illustrations showing the development of Swiss artillery from
the Burgundian Wars to present day. The Historic Figurine collection
is a wonder for miniature diorama lovers, with 10,000 figurines from
the collection of Raoul Gerard, formed into 50 dioramas depicting the
great battles of history from antiquity to Napoleon, the chariots of
Nefertiti, and elephants of the Siege of Alesia, to the storming of castles.
The Vaudois Gendarmerie section offers a rare look at the police forces
of French speaking Switzerland, created with the formations of the cantonal
division of 1803; the collection traces the development of the corps
of public protection.
Visiting the Chateau de Morges Military Museums
The
Morges Castle museums are
open from March 1 to November 30. Tuesday to Friday
from 10am to 12pm and 1: 30pm to 5 pm. Saturday and Sunday
from 1:30 pm to 5pm Closed on Monday. In July and August, open
every day from 10am-5pm non-stop. Admission price is10 CHF for Adults
9
CHF for Retired, 8 CHF for Student, 3 CHF Child over 6 and under
6 free. . The castle
is a
ten minute
walk from the train station and located next to the park where
the Tulip Festival of Morges is held every May. Morges is one of the
lesser
traveled
stops on the rail line along the shore of Lake Geneva, and its
station the connecting point for trains to the Lake Neuchatel region
of the
Jura. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Chateau
Morges
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SEE ALSO:
CRUISING LAKE GENEVA IN GRAND STYLE
STOCKALPER CASTLE – BAROQUE PALACE OF BRIG
BALLOON MUSEUM – CHATEAU D’OEX
ABBEY OF ST MAURICE TREASURES & MARTYRS
CHATEAU SAINT MAURICE ON THE RHONE
