Tower of Stockalper, 17th-century tower in Gondo, Switzerland.
The Tower of Stockalper is a multi-story stone structure with thick walls standing at 1,359 meters elevation, displaying traditional Alpine building methods. Today it serves as a hotel with 11 rooms and includes spaces for meetings and events.
Baron Kaspar Stockalper built this stronghold in 1685 as a checkpoint along the major Alpine trade route. The structure marked a crucial control point for goods and travelers moving between central Europe and Italy.
The tower embodies the role of the Simplon crossing as a vital link between communities on either side of the Alps. Visitors can observe how people lived and conducted trade at this strategic mountain junction.
The site is located on a mountainside where conditions can be slippery, especially after rain or in wet weather. Sturdy footwear and care are essential, and it helps to check accessibility beforehand.
The building withstood a devastating landslide in 2000 that nearly destroyed the village of Gondo. Its oldest section survived intact and became the foundation for the comprehensive restoration that followed.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
