Majorie Castle, Medieval castle in Sion, Switzerland.
Description
Majorie Castle in Sion is a medieval fortress with two main structures: the Majorie tower with terraced walls and the Vidomnat featuring two three-story square towers. These buildings form a connected complex that rises on a hill overlooking the city.
History
Bishop Guichard Tavelli acquired the castle in 1373 and made it the residence of Sion's prince-bishops until the late 1700s. Its role as a princely seat shaped the region's political and religious landscape for centuries.
Culture
The castle has housed the Valais Museum of Fine Arts since 1947, displaying regional artwork within its medieval walls. The rooms reflect how local artistic traditions have developed over time through the collections displayed there.
Practical
Access to the castle is available through Rue des Chateaux or via a tunnel running beneath the main structure. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since the paths are steep and uneven, with hilly terrain surrounding the site.
Did you know?
The castle's former stables, called Grange-a-l'Eveque, have housed the Valais Nature Museum since 2013 with collections on local wildlife and plants. This separate exhibition space provides a contrast to the art collections in the main castle.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Sion).
Sion Cathedral
155 m
Supersaxo House
159 m
Église Saint-Théodule de Sion
198 m
Sion astronomical clock
78 m
Valais Art Museum
30 m
Old Penitentiary Museum
179 m
Valais history museum (collection)
46 m
Theater
92 m
Former hostel Le Lion d’Or
103 m
Fontaine du Lion
72 m
College church (Holy Trinity)
115 m
Former hostel La Croix-Blanche
164 m
Former Prefecture of the Department of Simplon (Kalbermatten house)
224 m
Cantonal prison (former State chancellery)
146 m
Tower and rampart (fragment)
171 m
Grange-à-l'Evêque (museum building)
49 m
Town hall
78 m
Casino
127 m
Grenette
57 m
Library of the cathedral chapter of the Cathedral of Sion
136 m
Rampart of the Rue des Tonneliers
93 m
Former pharmacy Uffembort
143 m
Maison de la Cible
119 m
Maison de la Diète
61 m
Maison du Chapitre (Calendes)
128 m
Sous-le-Scex (archaeological zone)
212 m
Le Vidomnat
26 m
Tour du chien
113 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes