Top 18 Castles in the Valais

Superb. You can continue over the footbridge at Farinet with your mountain bike, descend to Leytron or climb to Ovronnaz and descend to Chamison.

"Kaspar Stockalper (* 14 July 1609 in Brig; † 29 April 1691 ibid) was a Swiss entrepreneur and politician. He invested the large dowry that his fiancée Magdalena Zumbrunn brought into the marriage in the expansion of the mule track over the pass, today Via Stockalper. He also organised the transport of goods and people over the Simplon. He managed to keep the pass out of the chaos of war, he made himself useful to both sides and expanded his influence in the Valais. His second marriage - Magdalena Zumbrunn died after three years - to Cäcilia von Riedmatten consolidated his position. In addition to the monopoly on larch resin, tinder fungus and snails, which were particularly sought after in France, Stockalper secured the monopoly on the transport of goods over the Simplon and, as a crowning achievement in 1648, the salt monopoly. He continued to increase his wealth through speculation and trade. He ensured that his family became related to other influential Valais families, whom he helped to advance in their careers and thereby created dependencies. He distributed offices and money in a calculating manner. At the French court he exchanged mercenaries and loans for trading privileges, acquired the assets of insolvent debtors and maintained his own mines in which he mined iron, lead, copper and gold. Among other things, he owned the Gondo gold mine, the old hospice on the Simplon Pass and the Stockalper Tower in Gondo as well as other extensive properties from Milan to Lyon. The backbone of his power continued to be the Simplon Pass with its bridges, customs stations, warehouses, inns and the Stockalper Canal, which, however, was not destined for long-term success. His trading empire stretched from the Adriatic to the English Channel and from southern Spain to northern Germany." (Source: Wikipedia)

An interesting building from a trading empire of the Baroque period, which you should at least take a little time to see, despite the quick descent from the Simplon Pass: "The Stockalper Tower in Gondo in the canton of Valais in Switzerland was built between 1666 and 1685 by Kaspar von Stockalper. It stands at the entrance to the Gondo Gorge. The entire transport of goods by the muleteers, which developed on the Stockalper Trail between Valais and Italy, passed by the Stockalper Tower. The Stockalper Tower was a warehouse and transshipment point for the goods that Stockalper had transported in large quantities over the pass. The muleteers found accommodation and supplies in the tower. In later years the tower served as a workshop, shop and warehouse. During the Alpine flood disaster on October 14, 2000, about half of the tower was torn away by a landslide; 13 people lost their lives in Gondo. With the help of the Swiss population, various institutions and the Stockalper Tower Foundation, it was possible to repair the collapsed part. of the five-story Stockalper Tower and to renovate the entire building." (Source: Wikipedia)

A must for cyclists, a magnificent place

The path leads along the old railway line outside the Leuk centre

Unfortunately, it is still not known how the historic Stockalper Garden was designed in the 17th century. However, its basic structures, which Kaspar Stockalper von Thurm added to the formerly much larger garden landscape (some 10,000 m2), can be precisely described in the historical sources. The garden is divided into two elements: the parterre with pleasure garden (Viridarium) equipped with water elements and squares, and the park with orchard (Pomarium) planted with Pro Specie Rara varieties. With the exciting tree planting, the project spatially ties the different sub-areas together. The meadow embankment is kept free of trees, creating a beautiful transition to the vineyard slope and an exciting line of sight to the castle. Above the cellar vaults, the rose garden provides a small-scale counterpoint to the wide areas. Source: https://www.myswitzerland.com/de-de/erlebnisse/parkgarten-stockalpergarten/

Kaspar Stockapler was probably the most successful early capitalist far and wide in his time. Not only the Stockalper Palace in Brig testifies to his wealth - the extensive palace gardens are also a sight to behold. The Stockalper Garden, which was remodeled in 2002, is a particularly inviting place to linger in the summer. The garden has several fruit trees, beautiful lawns, a children's playground and a rose garden. Source and information at: https://www.brig-simplon.ch/poi/stockalpergarten

Great view of the young Rhône