Stockalper Palace

From 1649 Kaspar Stockalper vom Thurm built the most powerful secular baroque building in present-day Switzerland, funded by the proceeds of his salt and transport trade across the Simplon. Three granite towers with gilded onion domes enclose a Renaissance arcaded courtyard that is free to enter during the day. Today it houses the municipal council, the district court and the Passage Simplon museum. A guided tour costs from CHF 12 per person, or CHF 17 combined with the town walk. Even without a ticket, the courtyard is one of the finest spots in town.