Brigue

Brigue, known in German as Brig, is a town in the canton of Valais in southwestern Switzerland. It is the main urban center at the head of the Visp valley and is part of the municipality of Brig-Glis. The town lies near the border with Italy, at the foot of the Alps, and sits at roughly 600 meters above sea level. It serves as a gateway to the Simplon Pass and to several alpine destinations for hiking and winter sports.

Historically, Brig developed as a crossroads of Alpine trade routes. A defining feature of its heritage is the Stockalper Palace (Schloss Stockalper), commissioned in the 17th century by Kaspar Stockalper. The palace complex—together with its surrounding buildings—became a symbol of Valais’ merchant power during the early modern period and remains a major cultural landmark. Brig-Glis’s location made it an important stopping point on routes between northern Europe and Italy.

Geography and landmarks: The town sits amid a dramatic alpine landscape that provides access to valleys and passes in both the Mattertal and the Val d’Anniviers regions. Stockalper Palace is the principal historic site, and the area is noted for its scenic routes and proximity to the Simplon Pass.

Transportation and economy: Brig is a railway junction where lines via the Lötschberg route connect to Spiez, Bern, and the rest of the Swiss railway network, while the Simplon line continues toward Italy. The local economy is based on services, administration, small industry, and tourism, with visitors drawn to the historic town center and nearby mountain scenery.