Artilleriewerk Grimsel, Military fortress at Grimsel Pass, Switzerland
Artilleriewerk Grimsel is a mountain fortress carved into the rock of Grimsel Pass, containing underground barracks, medical facilities, and gun positions. The fortification extends roughly 1 kilometer through the mountain at approximately 2000 meters elevation.
The fortress was constructed between 1941 and 1943 during World War II as part of the Gotthard Fortress defense system. It was designed to protect the Alpine region from potential threats coming from the south.
This fortress represents how Swiss military planners integrated defense infrastructure into the Alpine landscape during a critical period. The site shows how mountain engineering and strategic thinking were combined to protect the region.
Access to the fortress involves climbing an underground stairway of about 700 steps or using a cable car that carries roughly 25 people at a time. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for narrow, cool, and damp conditions inside.
The fortress housed six 15-centimeter bunker cannons positioned with separate batteries covering different strategic directions toward Italy and the Gotthard region. This gun system was designed to provide overlapping coverage across multiple approach routes.
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