Fort Stöckli, Mountain fortress in Uri, Switzerland

Fort Stöckli stands at 2400 m below the 2479 m Stock, north of Andermatt in Uri. Built of granite, it began with a rear barracks and a shelter, ringed by stone slabs pierced with firing slits. In 1898 came obstacle ditches with flanking casemates, a barracks extension and a shelter for a mobile searchlight; in 1915 a 200-metre covered rifle gallery with machine-gun casemates was added on the adjoining Stock.

Following a federal decision in 1893, the fortress was constructed with granite walls and equipped with 12-centimeter howitzers. It was built as part of Switzerland's defense strategy to protect this crucial high alpine pass.

This fortress was central to Swiss military strategy and shows how the nation protected its mountain passes. Visitors today can observe how soldiers operated the site and what equipment they relied on.

The location sits high in the mountains and is best visited during clear weather, as snow and fog can make the ascent difficult. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and prepare for a steep hiking route.

In 1905 a trial wireless telegraphy station with 50-metre masts, built by Telefunken, was set up on the Gütsch above the fort. Within a few years it was obsolete, overtaken by spark-gap improvements and mobile radio units. The fort itself was decommissioned in 1947 and its buildings later stripped; they have been left to decay since.