--- title: "Stockalper Palace" url: "https://www.brig-simplon.ch/en/culture-city/stockalper-palace" description: "Discover the mighty Stockalper Palace in Brig and its large gardens on a guided tour." language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Brig-Simplon > Experiences > Culture & City > Stockalper Palace" --- Stockalper Palace ================= A visit to Kaspar Stockalper Kaspar Stockalper was an ambitious and tenacious businessman in his day. The Stockalper Palace in Brig still bears witness to his wealth today. The large gardens are a lovely place to explore at any time of year. They are divided into several areas, with a sunbathing lawn, benches and a playground for the children available for use. Those who want to discover the castle courtyard can do so by themselves during the day. are also offered so that visitors can enter the rooms of the mighty palace. Admission, guided tours, offers  -------------------------------- Visit the extraordinary Baroque palace on a fascinating guided tour. You can join a public tour on the day or book an extra tour for your group. Stockalper Palace ----------------- A landmark of the Upper Valais Stockalper Palace was built as a merchant’s residence by Kaspar Stockalper vom Thurm (1609–1691) in the middle of the 17th century. The three-towered monument is a landmark of the Upper Valais region and the mightiest secular Baroque building in present-day Switzerland. The monumental Baroque building, erected after 1649, combines various architectural styles. The block-like main wing and the fort-like granite towers with Baroque onion domes stand impressively next to the magnificent Renaissance courtyard. The three massive granite towers that enclose the elegant-looking arcade square are reminiscent of the original idea of the man behind the building, who called the palace the ‘Houses and Chapel of the Three Kings’. In 1948, the municipality of Brig acquired the palace, which was extensively restored from 1956 by the . Today, Stockalper Palace houses the administration of the municipality of Brig-Glis, the district court, the Stockalper Palace museum with its ‘’ exhibition, the research institute for the history of the Alpine region and other cultural institutions. Kaspar Stockalper vom Thurm --------------------------- Stockalper traded in everything: mercenaries and snails, salt and ores. He bought and sold whatever promised profit and recorded everything in his books in seven languages, including when and how he bribed or cheated his partners. Here is a brief bio and outline of his story. **Bio** - A businessman and politician from the Valais - Lived from 1609 to 1691 - Spoke six languages - Also known as the ‘Fugger of the Alps’ or the ‘King of the Simplon Pass’. - Was made an Imperial Knight of the Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Ferdinand III. - Had the Stockalper Palace built in Brig old town - Was married twice and had 14 children Display of external content There is external content behind this button. When displaying this content, data will be transmitted to third parties. More about this in the Show content anyway Do you remember the 17th century? Those were the days! In his 82 years, Kaspar Stockalper held countless titles of nobility and served in the Valais as treasurer, castellan, commander, regional scribe and regional governor. In the end, his enemies and enviers forced him into exile in Domodossola. Nevertheless, he was rightly dubbed the ‘King of the Simplon Pass’ in the Baroque era. What was the basis of his success? And how was he able to build up a European trade network that was unparalleled in the Alpine region? It was mainly due to his reliable pack-animal track. Having that trail built and managed over the Simplon Pass was an investment that is still paying off to this day. In 1991, the Stockalperweg trail was named after him – and it is still hugely popular now. Present-day hikers no longer have to carry as heavy a load as the sumpters of that time. But anyone who sets off from Brig and heads towards Gondo these days still sees the same thing as they did back then – the beauty of the high Alpine world and the bustling life down in the cities and towns, the gold in the rivers and the snow on the peaks. Stockalperweg trail ------------------- Trading route between Switzerland and Italy More than 300 years ago, the Brig merchant Kaspar Stockalper built the pack-animal track over the Simplon Pass and laid the foundations for his trading empire. The trail has long since relinquished its economic significance to the new pass road, but the Stockalperweg has been living on as a cultural trail since 1991. The stages - - - - - - Questions and answers about Stockalper Castle --------------------------------------------- - At what time can extra tours be booked? Extra tours can be booked from Monday to Sunday between 08:00 and 19:00. The prerequisite for this is that a guide is available at the desired time. - Are dogs allowed on the castle tour? Dogs are not allowed in Stockalper Castle and the castle garden. Dogs are not allowed on the castle tour. Dogs are allowed in the inner courtyard. - Is there a Stockalper Castle tour for children? We offer the 45-minute MALO tour. This can only be booked in advance as an extra tour. - When do official tours take place? **Winter** 1 December 2025 – 30 April 2026: Tuesday to Sunday at 2.30 p.m. (except 24/25 December and 31 December/1 January) **Summer** 1 May 2026 to 31 October 2026: Tuesday to Sunday at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. \* \*Guided tours only between June and September - In which languages are guided tours offered? The official guided tour is offered in German. There is a brochure in all languages FR/IT/E, which can be purchased in advance. The extra tours are offered in German, French, English or Italian. - Can I visit the Stockalper Castle without a guided tour? Stockalper Castle can only be visited with a guided tour. All rooms are locked and only accessible with a guide. The inner courtyard and castle garden are open daily and freely accessible. - Can the Stockalper Castle or the individual rooms be hired for private events? The premises of the Stockalper Castle cannot be used for private purposes. - Can the castle gardens and courtyard be hired for private events? The castle garden or courtyard can be hired from the for drinks receptions. All other events are on request. - With which passes is admission to an official Stockalper Castle tour free or reduced? Admission is free with the Swiss Museum Pass, Swiss Travel Pass and Raiffeisen Member Card. With the Aletsch-Goms-Brig Guest Card, the Visp Guest Card and the you receive a 50% discount. Discounts are not valid for extra guided tours. - Do children also have to pay admission? Children up to 7 years pay no admission. Children between 7-16 years pay 50% of the adult price. - Which rooms are wheelchair accessible? Only partially wheelchair accessible. The Dreikönigssaal (Three Kings Hall) and the chapel are not wheelchair accessible. Three rooms in the main building can be reached by lift. In front of each of these rooms there is a stone threshold without a ramp. - How can I pay for a guided tour of Stockalper Castle? The official tour can be paid for in cash or by card, while the extra tours can be paid for in cash, by Twint or on account. - What is the difference between the “Guided Tour of Stockalper Castle” and the “Group Tour of the Castle”? Bei der Geführten Tour im Stockalperschloss können sich Einzelpersonen und Gruppen anschliessen. Interessierte Personen können sich zu den Startseiten am Treffpunkt der offiziellen Führung anschliessen. Diese Führungen finden in Deutsch statt. Bei der Schlossführung handelt es sich um eine private Führung für eine Gruppe mit eigenem Guide. Datum und Startzeit können von der Gruppe gewählt werden. Es ist möglich eine Gruppenführung in Französisch, Italienisch oder Englisch durchzuführen (je nach Verfügbarkeit der Guides).