Brig Attractions

The historic little town of Brig, on the south bank of the Rhône, is the capital of the German- speaking upper Valais (Oberwallis) and an important junction on the Simplon, Lötschberg, Furka-Oberalp and Brig-Visp-Oberalp railroads. It has a number of notable buildings and is also the starting-point of the great roads over the Simplon, the Furka and Nufenen passes.

Brig was already of importance in Roman times as a staging point on the north side of the Simplon pass. Its name comes from its situation between two bridges (over the Rhône and the Saltina). It later became the see of a bishop, and enjoyed a period of great prosperity in the time of Kaspar Jodok Stockalper.