After we get down from the snow in the mountains we decide tomorrow we will make our way over the valley of Sion as I wanted to explore some old castles and ruins that I could see on the drive into Sion.
These where the typical medieval castle perched high on the peaks of small hills like pimples on the glacier made valley floor. One was just a ruin the other was complete and with a 10th century church. All up this vast Rhone Valley were a serious of castles which were originally the fortification for the valley area to stop the invading other countries people from making there way through. As they were great viewing points and the kings guards could see 360 deg so could warn the other kings guards on the next castle of incoming army or people who were either killed or had to pay taxes to past.
We get to the first castle and Graham drives in via a small grassed over road, not real sure it was the correct road to the car park but it was a very interesting drive in. The first castle was only opened up 20 years ago and to the amazement of the locals and councils it had not been touched or vandalised so restoration works were and are still being done. The church never stop being a church so maybe that was the saving grace for the old castle that were people around so the castle was left alone and just locked away for the past centuries. It always amazes me who must have owned them, they at some point must have just been left or that family line had died out and no one claimed the old castle one the inaccessible hill. This one was just left as it was getting to difficult for the king to get to, so he downsized and moved to a town house, well a town castle.
They found all sorts of stuff so a museum has been setup in some of the vast rooms and now run by a state trust.
The church was very medieval and the floor was on the top of the raw rocks that formed the hill, the wall and columns were all at different heights as needed so through out the church as it is in several layers with 2.5 m difference in the floor level. The church also houses the oldest organ in the world as these people were not rich, it was never removed or restored but it is still in working condition pitched high on the back wall.
The church today is now locked and only entered with a guide as in the 1980 some moron came in and slashed one of the large painting from the 15th century depicting the church and the castle to lower right side and the heavens above with a beautiful nativity scene and the connection of this valley area to its religion.
The wall painting were simple and crud and dated back to 10th century with more of a country folk-art feel and not the glitz of some of the churches from Italy.
But typical of me I wanted to venture to the other hill to the ruined castle which could only be accessed by foot.
At this point Sandy said, do you know what my lovey!
I have followed you high and low over this country and really you can see the ruins from here, but if you have to climb yet another hill, walk up yet several hundred more steps and conquer vet another building, well she finally said I'm can just sit here in the peaceful gardens after I have finished in the museum and enjoy watching you all from here, so Patricia, Graham and I head off.
Well I must admit Sandy that was a good call as it was still quite hot, even this late into the afternoon, but I did make it to the other castle and a couple of hours later I did return. It was fantastic and the view up the Rhone River and valley towards the mountains that we had come into the other day were just spectacular, you could see for miles.
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