Fürigen Fortress - from 1941 to today

Over deze plek

Hidden behind the rugged rock faces of the Bürgenberg near Stansstad lies Fürigen Fortress. Built during the Second World War, it was part of the Réduit, the Swiss army’s defence strategy at the time. In the event of an attack, the artillery works with its two guns were meant to help fend off any German advance into the Alpine region. During the Cold War, the fortress remained in use too, although it was geared to new threat scenarios. For the last time, in 2009, men - now merely dressed as soldiers - went into the tunnels for a Swiss television reality show. The fortress has been open as a museum since 1991. The current exhibition focuses on the fortress and its defence concept. It highlights the region’s social development and shows the life and everyday routine of the men who did their military service here until the 1980s. An audio-visual tour leads through the outer tunnel to the gun positions and finally into the accommodation area. This was where they ate and slept. What occupied the fortress soldiers during their several-week stay in the mountain? What worries weighed on and troubled them? What did they write home to their loved ones? Experience a piece of Swiss history at close quarters and explore the secret world in the rock. Guided tours are available all year round by prior registration.