En un regard
Le château en bref
Morat Castle is located in the town of Morat, in the canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. The site is thought to have already been a fortified place in the 11th century, and Ludwig the Pious is said to have established an outpost there as early as 614, although this remains uncertain.
The fortress was destroyed in 1032 by the troops of Conrad II the Salian, and the town of Morat was founded from 1180 by Berthold IV of Zähringen, probably around a new stone castle. In 1255, the castle was ceded to the House of Savoy, although with some Habsburg incursions over the following decades. The Savoyards strengthened the castle's defences and ramparts. It was partially damaged by fire in 1414. In 1469, the castle's enclosure was renovated. The Burgundian Wars of 1475 marked the end of Savoyard rule in the region.
On 22 June 1476, the castle was the scene of the Battle of Morat, a clash between the Confederates and Charles the Bold. The Duke of Burgundy, despite the superiority of his armament, was repulsed at the town gates by the Swiss garrison. The disorganised troops of the Bold were then decimated by the Swiss, who attacked by surprise. The castle bore the full brunt of the damage: six towers were seriously damaged, and the ramparts had been destroyed by Burgundian cannon. It then served as a residence for the bailiff before being converted into the Fribourg prefecture in 1803.