Chessiloch, Rock formation with military murals in Grellingen, Switzerland

Chessiloch is a rock face near Grellingen carved and painted with over 60 works by Swiss soldiers between 1914 and 1918. It shows Swiss and cantonal coats of arms, unit emblems, landscape scenes of Bern, Lucerne and St. Gallen Abbey, and figures such as Wilhelm Tell and Helvetia. Sculptures depict General Ulrich Wille, Chief of Staff Theophil Sprecher von Bernegg and Treytorrens de Loys.

The rock face was guarded by over 60 Swiss military units during World War I at a strategic post protecting a railway bridge in the region. The paintings were created during these guard periods, documenting the presence and activities of stationed troops.

The rock walls display coats of arms from different Swiss cantons painted by soldiers who served here during their guard shifts. These images reflect local and regional identity through the hands of those stationed at the site.

The site lies by the railway bridges over the Birs near Grellingen station, reachable on foot from the village. The carvings face outward and are best examined in daylight; the ground at the rock base is uneven, so sturdy shoes help. The annual Chessilochschiessen shooting event, held since 1934, can bring visitors to the area.

Soldiers used their long guard duties as an opportunity to express artistic skills on the rock wall, creating an unintended outdoor gallery. This spontaneous creative activity transformed a military outpost into a visual record of their experience during those years.