Château de Tourbillon

The hill's origins date back to the 5th millennium BC, with archaeological evidence of early settlement. In the Middle Ages, the site served as a strategic watchpost, evidenced by remnants of a keep beneath the later chapel and documents from around 1270 mentioning guard detachments. The construction of the castle in its current form was initiated in 1297 by Bishop Bonifatius Challant to protect the city of Sion from rebellious nobility. Dendrochronological studies date significant parts of the structure to approximately 1307. In the 13th century, Tourbillon served as the bishop's summer residence and a refuge during wartime, while the main seat was later moved to the Meier's Tower. The castle was occupied multiple times, for instance, from 1352 to 1361 and 1384 to 1392 by the Counts of Savoy. In 1417, Upper Valaisan troops conquered and partially destroyed the complex during the Raron Affair. Bishop Wilhelm III of Raron commissioned the reconstruction on the existing foundations and the repainting of the castle chapel between 1440 and 1450. A devastating city fire on May 24, 1788, ultimately destroyed the castle. Since 1907, Tourbillon has been classified as a historical monument, and since 1977, it has been listed in the national inventory of monuments worthy of protection.

Château de Tourbillon is located in Sion, in the district of Sion, in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. It stands at an elevation of approximately 619 m above sea level.

The castle ruin is now accessible to visitors and can be visited from mid-March to mid-November. A visitor toilet has been installed at the western end behind the chapel.

• Château Valère (Castle), approx. 0.3 km away
• Château de Montorge (Castle), approx. 2.6 km away
• Ruine Château La Soie (Savièse) (Castle), approx. 3.2 km away
• Château de Conthey (Castle), approx. 4.9 km away