Savoy castle, then bailiff's residence

Château de Rue is a former seat of Savoyard castellans that later served as the residence of the bailiffs of Fribourg. It stands in the small town of Rue in the canton of Fribourg, western Switzerland. The castle is privately owned today, but its outline is easy to see from the town's streets and the surrounding hills. Promasens, once a separate village, has been part of the municipality of Rue since 2001.

What is the history of the castle?

The first mention of a castle at Rue dates from 1152 and names Rodolphe de Rue, a vassal of the Counts of Geneva. The fortifications were destroyed between 1235 and 1237, and rebuilding was forbidden for 15 years. Peter of Savoy rebuilt the castle between 1260 and 1268. During the Burgundy Wars in 1476 it was largely destroyed, and the reconstruction ran from 1619 to 1763, when a prison was also installed.

Why did bailiffs live here?

From 1536 Rue was the centre of a Fribourg bailiwick. Successive bailiffs adapted the castle to their needs, and prefects resided here after them until 1848. Promasens, a fief of the lords of Rue, passed to Fribourg in 1536 and belonged to the same bailiwick until 1798.

What can you see on site?

The castle has a square-plan keep from its earliest phase, set within a fortified enclosure that once held three dwellings. A small building with a well stands in the courtyard. The present stone bridge replaced a medieval drawbridge, and the pond was laid out by the last prefect of Rue before 1848. The castle looks down on the church of Saint-Nicolas.

Can you go inside?

There are no regular visiting hours. The castle is opened occasionally during events such as Art Forum. At other times you see it from outside. The address is Rue du Casino 18, 1673 Rue.

What else connects to this place?

The state sold the castle at auction on 25 February 1856. In 1873 it was bought by the Lyon silk merchant Ernest Ferber, father of aviation pioneer Ferdinand Ferber. It has remained in private hands since.

Frequently asked questions

When was the castle rebuilt after its destruction?

Peter of Savoy rebuilt it between 1260 and 1268, and after the damage of 1476 the reconstruction lasted from 1619 to 1763.

Is the castle open to visitors?

Not on a regular basis. It opens only during selected events.

Who lived in the castle after 1536?

The bailiffs of Fribourg, and later its prefects, until 1848.

Is there a museum inside?

No. The castle is private property, and the interior is not open day to day.