Old and new Stockalper Palace, Baroque palace in Brig, Switzerland
The Stockalper Palace is a baroque palace in Brig with a four-story main building and three granite towers topped with golden onion domes. It encloses a Renaissance arcade courtyard and houses both the municipal administration and a museum displaying objects related to regional heritage.
Swiss merchant Kaspar Stockalper built the palace between 1651 and 1671 as his residence and a display of wealth from salt and iron trade. Construction took place during a period when Brig was a major trading hub, and Stockalper's fortune reflected the region's importance in international commerce.
The three tower names - Kaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar - refer to the Magi and reflect the builder's religious values at the time. Today visitors experience the Renaissance arcade courtyard as a gathering space that connects administrative functions with cultural exhibitions about local heritage.
The palace is open to visitors from May through October with guided tours available through the historic rooms and arcade courtyard. Visitors should be aware that the interior features many staircases and narrow passages, making comfortable walking shoes and a reasonable level of mobility helpful for exploring the full building.
The palace marks the starting point of Stockalperweg, a historical trade route that runs from Brig over the Simplon Pass toward the gold mines in Gondo. This route connects the building to a broader landscape shaped by centuries of commerce and resource extraction.
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