Montagny Castle (Ruin)

The settlement of Montagny hill can be traced back to the Mesolithic period, although precise information is scarce due to a lack of systematic excavations. The first documented evidence dates from the early 12th century, when Ulrich, Lord of Belp and Montagny, was mentioned under Zähringen patronage. The lordship of Montagny emerged around 1146, and Ulrich's sons Conrad and Rudolph inhabited a primitive castle with a square tower and wooden annexes, surrounded by a palisade. After the extinction of the Zähringen line in 1218, the lordship came under Savoyard control, and Aymon became a vassal of Pierre II of Savoy in 1254. During this flourishing period, from 1269 to 1309, a new town was built with five streets and about thirty houses. The lordship extended over 21 villages. From 1335, conflicts arose with Fribourg, which sought to expand westwards. In 1390, Théobald, the last Lord of Montagny, was convicted of murder and dispossessed, but later pardoned. The lordship fell to Savoy. In 1447, Fribourg conquered Montagny Castle, burning down the church and the new village. After a peace treaty in 1448, Fribourg had to restore the castle. In 1476, Montagny was again plundered and set on fire by Fribourg. In 1478, Fribourg bought the lordship, which became a Fribourg bailiwick. A fire devastated the castle and village in 1504, but the castle was rebuilt. In 1752, the castle was in poor condition but was restored with 20,000 livres. The French invasion in 1798 ended the bailiwick, and the castle was abandoned and used as a quarry. By 1820, it was already a ruin. General Nicolas von Gady bought the tower and its walls in 1827. In 1973, the tower passed by inheritance to the von Werra family, who transferred it to a foundation for its protection in 1989. This foundation restored the tower and made it accessible to visitors, preserving its character as a “romantic ruin.”

The Montagny Ruin is located at approximately 533 m above sea level in the municipality of Montagny in the Broye district, canton of Fribourg, Switzerland.

The Montagny Ruin is now accessible to visitors. An external staircase leads to the entrance gate of the watchtower, and an internal staircase allows ascent to a height of 30 meters, from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the region.

• Château La Rosiere (Grolley) (Castle), approx. 2.4 km away
• Château Lechelles (Castle), approx. 2.7 km away
• Château Prez vers Noreaz (Castle), approx. 3.2 km away
• Château Seedorf (Noréaz) (Castle), approx. 4.4 km away