Knightly music plays in medieval castle

The castle dominates the medieval town. www.acs.ilstu.edu

Another season of classical concerts has begun in one of Switzerland's most atmospheric castles - Chateau de Grandson on Lake Neuchatel.

The Swiss-Japanese duo of Jürg Eichenberger and Eriko Kagawa will perform works by Chopin, Fala, Granados and Cassado in the Knight’s Hall of the castle on November 25.

As with every concert at the castle, guests are invited to get to know the musicians over drinks in front of the fireplace in the equally grand Banquet Hall.

The performance is the second of about a half dozen concerts given each year at the 11th century castle between November and April.

Even though the concert begins at 1700, there is good reason to get to Grandson earlier in the day to roam the castle museum and grounds.

Knight’s Hall to torture chamber

The museum contains a torture chamber and an extensive collection of medieval armour and weaponry, much of it dating from 1476 when the Swiss confederates defeated the army of Charles the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy, at Grandson – one of the most celebrated battles in Swiss history.

A slide show (available in English) retraces the history of the castle and the Burgundian Wars. There’s also a signposted walk leading through the castle towers and around the grounds.

The fortress is also home to a vintage car exhibition which boasts Greta Garbo’s white Rolls Royce and an automobile once belonging to Winston Churchill.

The castle is open seven days a week, all year round.

swissinfo