Sasso San Gottardo

About

During World War II, the Swiss secretly excavated kilometers of tunnels high above the St-Gotthard pass, creating one of the largest fortresses in the country. Here, gun batteries protected the Leventina Valley as well as the S. Giacomo and Nufenen Passes. In 2001, the fortress was decommissioned, and in 2012, the museum opened to the public. Inside the once secret tunnels, visitors can ride an underground funicular to view a war museum showcasing the gun emplacements, and equipment necessary to sustain a garrison of 500 men. Also in the tunnels is the ‘World of Crystals’, which showcases enormous crystal formations discovered in the area. Another space within the fortress is dedicated to the future challenges facing the country and, humanity in general, and covers topics such as meteorology and climate, sustainability, mobility, habitat, energy and security.