Château de Chillon is the mediaval castle located in Switzerland on the shore of Geneva Lake. Due to its convenient location this fortified building served defensive functions. In the Middle Ages the castle changed hands and was reconstructed many times. It used to be the arsenal, the residence of feudal lords and the prison. Lord George Byron – inspired by the fortunes of François Bonivard who was imprisoned in the castle’s dungeons for six years – wrote a poem titled The Prisoner of Chillon. Today the dungeons are made accessible for tourists and it is possible to see the signature of The Giaour’s author on one of the pillars. Lord Byron visited the castle in 1816.
