Chenal Castle
Edited by:
Samantha Blanchod
Access
Il castello è raggiungibile con i seguenti itinerari di accesso:
Introduction
The castle of Chenal, built no earlier than the 13th century, first appeared in the deeds in 1250 and since then it has been mentioned almost always together with the castle of Saint-Germain. The two fortresses, both built on rock spurs, allowed full control over the medieval road that passed right through the gorge between the two castles.
.Description
The ancient function of the castle
The castle of Chenal, built no earlier than in the 13th century, first appeared in the deeds in 1250 and has since then been mentioned almost always together with the castle of Saint-Germain. The two fortresses, both built on rocky spurs, allowed full control over the medieval road that passed right through the gorge between the two castles.
The Chenal building never took on the role of a castle proper, but was rather a kind of 'dépendance' in the service of the larger one of Saint-Germain, probably assuming the role of a barracks. In the documents of the time, a distinction was made between the old and the new château, but although the one at Saint-Germain was certainly built first, there is probably not much difference in time between the two constructions. This is also because the one at Chenal, especially in the Middle Ages, played an important function as a complement and support for the 'old' castle, which stood in a more strategic position.
Architectural description
The building, with a trapezoidal plan, belongs to the classic castle-recintotype. Its stone perimeter walls, worked in a rather rough manner, are less than a metre thick. Internally, it appears that the buildings were not all attached to the outer walls. The walls still standing show two service rooms and the remains of a tower now destroyed. The entrance door, consisting of a stone archivolt, is located on the longer side facing the castle of Saint-Germain. There are no remains of the roof, but on the inside of the perimeter wall towards Saint-Vincent, one can still see the holes on which the roof beams rested.
Historical background
In 1261, the castle, which was a possession of the lords of Montjovet, became the property of the Challants following the marriage of Ebalo the Great of Challant with Alexia, the only heiress of the lord of Chenal.
In 1438, the castle, which was still owned by the Challant family (of Count Francesco), was confiscated and sold to Amedeo VII of Savoy. Later, around 1540, it was probably dismantled.
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