Castle of Miolans

The castle of Miolans is a castle - fortress medieval located in the Combe of Savoy, on the commune of Saint-Pierre-in Albigny.

Geography

The castle of Miolans is located between the communes of Montmélian and Albertville.

Located on the buttresses of the tooth of Arclusaz (Massive of the Wallows), the site is a rock bourlet (550m) overhanging the Combe of Savoy, with more 200m.

History

The site, a oppidum, is already occupied at the time of the Romans, starting from IVe century. It thus makes it possible to control the alpine axis between Aoste and Vienna, by the Col of the Small-Saint-Bernard, the valleys of the Isere and the Arc.

Towards 923, the site accommodates a keep-manor, called turn Saint-Pierre , occupied by the family of the Miolans, one of oldest the family of Savoy. In second half of the 14th century, the lords of Miolans set up a system of fortifications decorated of a second keep. At the 16th century, this one is supplemented by a third turn, said Sauvegarde .

At the time of the disappearance of the line of the Lords of Miolans (1523), the castle passes in the field of the Counts de Savoie. The Count Emmanuel-Philibert of Savoy transforms the fortress into prison which keeps its function until in 1794, during the release of the prisoners by the French revolutionists. The castle falls thereafter in ruins.

The prefect of Savoy Guiter repurchases the fortress in 1871, with personal capacity, and carries out a restoration in collaboration with the Art schools.

Today, the castle remains a private property, but can be visited.

Constitution

The enclosure of the castle made 200m length, on 60/80m broad.

It is equipped with defenses, oubliettes and undergrounds.

Prison

Of XVIe century at 1794, the fortress was used as prison. One gives him sometimes the name of " Bastille savoyarde" or " Bastille of Alpes". It has accueuilli more than 200 prisoners. The name of the dungeons bore the name of Enfer , Purgatoire , Paradis , Trésor , small and large Espérance ….

Imprisoned personalities:

  • the historian Pietro Giannone, 1736 to 1738
  • Vincent-Rene Lavini, 1767 to 1786, forger out of banknotes
  • Marquis de Sade, in 1772

Sources

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