Naters lies in the heart of Upper Valais. Historic tunnels, church art and a lime tree over 600 years old offer different perspectives on the town’s history. You can explore the town on your own or join a village tour with a local cultural guide from Naters.
History in the Village and at Prominent Sites
The old village center of Naters has many historic and valuable buildings. The castle on the FlĂĽe adds the former aristocratic history of Upper Valais to the story of the town: it was built in the 12th century and was home to various noble families.
The parish church in Naters is dedicated to Saint Maurice and was consecrated in his honor in 1675. Its richly gilded high altar dates from 1667 and features a depiction of the Last Supper by Hans Studer. The two dates represent different historical reference points for the church and its furnishings.
The lime tree and the death slab also tell of earlier ways of life and burial practices. The lime tree, over 600 years old, is one of the oldest trees in Switzerland. The base of a former medieval pillory column is still visible beside it. In the past, convicts were fastened to the column with iron bands and put on public display. The death slab was used to prepare the deceased for burial before they were placed in coffins and taken to the cemetery.
Military History at Simplon Fortress
The Simplon Fortress Naters Museum presents the army positions at the outbreak of war, the Swiss Army’s retreat to the Réduit, and the former weapons in historic tunnels. For groups of ten or more, Simplon Fortress offers guided tours year-round outside regular opening hours by request.
Hiking and Getting There
The Historic Road hike leads from Naters past dry-stone walls and mule troughs, climbing to the Old Village of Blatten bei Naters. The market square in Naters can serve as a starting point; from Brig, it can be reached by post bus or local bus line 1. Check connections before setting out. Trail conditions may also vary.
Landscape Across the Municipality
The approximately 40-meter-long Massegga suspension bridge between Naters and Bitsch offers a glimpse into the Massaschlucht gorge. The municipality’s figures give another sense of the landscape’s scale: 67.68 km² of Naters lies within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch. The municipal area stretches from the banks of the Rhône at 656 m above sea level to the Aletschhorn at 4,194 m above sea level.
World Nature Forum at Aletsch Campus
The World Nature Forum exhibition at Aletsch Campus in Naters explores the declining importance of mountain farming, climate change and the effects of a lack of snow on tourism. Film scenes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site are shown in the 100-square-meter panoramic room.
There are two described ways to get there: the World Nature Forum is a five-minute walk from Brig railway station. Local bus line 1 also runs from Brig station square to the “Aletsch Campus” stop; from there, the Forum is a one-minute walk. Check connections before your journey.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Mehlbaum, Tschuggen, Blatten Bei Naters, Simplon Hospice, Eggerberg, Rosswald, Belalp, Rothwald.
Back to the main travel overview: Brig.
