Between the lake and Seyon River is a rocky headland. The lake, a navigable and commercial path, and the Seyon, which comes from the Val-de-Ruz and the bishopric Basel. Such a landscape asked for … a castle! Built at the end of the 10th century, it bore the town and gave it its name.
Novum Castellum, then Novum Castrum from the 12th century, Neocomum in scholar Greek in the 16th century, in common language Nuefchastel, Neufchastel, Neufchatel and Neuchâtel quite gradually from the 18th century.
In German, Nienburg evolved to Nuvenburch, Nuewenburg and then Neuenburg (since 1725).
Rudolph III King of Burgundy made his wife gift of Novum Castellum in 1011. On this opportunity he had an act written on parchment where you find quoted, for the first time, the name of the city.
Seat of power, the castle accommodated lords, sometimes their mother, widow or daughter, of whom some were real stateswomen (the countess Isabelle fought for the liberties of Neuchâtel at the end of the 14th century, Marie de Bourbon gathered the Earl of Neuchâtel and the Lordship of Valangin at the end of the 16th century).
Neuchâtel had been under influence of the Hapsburg, then Burgundian and also French during several centuries, until they were led to the Kings of Prussia from 1707.
Since 12th September 1814 Neuchâtel has been a Swiss canton. But the new canton remained simultaneously Principality of the Kings of Prussia. From this ambiguous situation emerged very passionate intern tensions.
On 1st March 1848 the republicans of Neuchâtel who left at Le Locle, La-Chaux-de-Fonds, the Val-de-Travers and La Béroche and led by Fritz Courvoisier conquered the castle and established an interim government which was chaired by Alexis-Marie Piaget. Neuchâtel became a Republic and on the same time a fully recognised Swiss canton.
The castle is still connected to power. The five senior civil servants – the cantonal Executive – work there and the 115 members of the Great Council – the cantonal Legislative – meet there. The cantonal justice – the Civil court and the Court of Assizes – hold hearings, next to the numerous services of the cantonal administration.
From 1st April to 30th September you can visit the castle, it is free.
Departure for the guided visit is at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., midday, 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on working days, at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday and at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday and holidays.
Meeting point under the porch.
(http://en.neuchatelville.ch/profils/decouverte.asp/1-0-11210-10001-1000-2-0/2-0-1210-10001-1000-2-0/)