Museum of the Swiss Guards

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Hiking in the surroundings

ViaStockalper

Stage 1, Brig–Simplonpass

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Walliser Sonnenweg

Stage 4, Ausserberg–Brig

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Cycling in the surroundings

Rhone Route

Stage 2, Oberwald–Brig

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Rhone Route

Stage 3, Brig–Sierre

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Valais Alpine Bike

Stage 4, Grächen–Mattsand–Stalden–Gspon–Gibidum–Brig

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Stage 5, Brig–Wiler–Lauchernalp–Blatten (Lötschental)

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Route 549, Gspon–Gibidum–Brig

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Nesselloop Bike

Route 157, Belalp–Nesselalp–Birgisch

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Häxutrail Bike

Route 158, Belalp–Erich-Rischinerwald–Blatten

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Museum of the Swiss Guards

In the past «Schweizer» or «Schweitzer» was synonymous with mercenary. Poverty and a deep longing for adventure drove the young Swiss men from their narrow valleys in the hands and service of foreign powers and onto European battlefields.

No other town has contributed more Swiss Gards to the Papal chair than Naters. For this reason the historian Werner Bellwald decided to open a museum of the Swiss Guards in the old fortress just above Naters. Since the present-day Swiss Army no longer needed the fortress, the town bought the storage halls for ammunition deep within the granite. Now the halls house the collection of the museum.

Our tip: Take a round-trip with the ‘little Simplon-Express’ through Brig and Naters. Afterwards you will be chauffeured up to the Museum of the Swiss Guard.

In the past «Schweizer» or «Schweitzer» was synonymous with mercenary. Poverty and a deep longing for adventure drove the young Swiss men from their narrow valleys in the hands and service of foreign powers and onto European battlefields.

No other town has contributed more Swiss Gards to the Papal chair than Naters. For this reason the historian Werner Bellwald decided to open a museum of the Swiss Guards in the old fortress just above Naters. Since the present-day Swiss Army no longer needed the fortress, the town bought the storage halls for ammunition deep within the granite. Now the halls house the collection of the museum.

Our tip: Take a round-trip with the ‘little Simplon-Express’ through Brig and Naters. Afterwards you will be chauffeured up to the Museum of the Swiss Guard.

Enlarged map

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