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.

Read More Baroque palace

The Stockalperschloss is one of the finest Baroque palaces in the country. It was built in the mid 1600s.

Pilgrimage Church of Unsere Lieber Frau

West of Brig, on the Glisacker, stands the pilgrimage church of Unsere liebe Frau (ca. 1540), representing the final phase of medieval architecture (Gothic and Renaissance), which contains the finest works of art in this part of Switzerland.

Church of Spiritus Sanctus

Near the Stockalperschloss in Brig are the collegiate church of Spiritus Sanctus (1675-85) and the Gothic St Antony's chapel.

Dr. Tar Monument

The monument to Dr Ernest Guglielmetti (known as "Dr Goudron" - i.e."Dr Tar"), inventor of the asphalt-surfaced road, is in the Marktplatz to the north of the Stockalperschloss in Brig.

Historic houses near the palace

Of interest in Brig are the Fernanda Stockalper house (18th C.) opposite the Stockalperschloss, the Wegener house (17th-19th C.) and the Theiler house in Simplonstrasse.

Monument to Aviator Geo Chavez

In Brig's Sebastianplatz there is a fountain commemorating the Peruvian aviator Geo Chavez, who flew over the Simplon for the first time in 1910.

Brig Attractions

Brig Surroundings