Municipality in Valais, Switzerland
Photo: User:Julian Mendez, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Sion (German: Sitten) is the capital of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. With a population of 35,000, it is the biggest city in the canton and a regional centre. The cantonal administration as well as many of the higher schools are located here.
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The Valère basilica, is a fortified church situated on a hill in the old town. The church (Notre-Dame de Valère) was built during the 12th and 13th centuries and obtained the rank of minor basilica at the time of the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1984.
The Tourbillon castle is situated on a hill and faces the Basilique de Valère, on the opposite hill. The castle is in a state of ruins following a fire in 1788.
This building called 'Witch tower' used to be a guard tower in the 14th century. In later times it has been used as a prison and was used for questioning under torture of alleged witches, where it got its name from.
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Sion
This is the cathedral of the diocese of Sion, which encompasses most of the Valais. The church building as it can be seen today was built in the 15th and 16th century in Gothic style on the foundations of older churches that have been in place since the 8th century. The Romanic tower was built in the early 13th century.
Located at the Place de la Planta and close to the railway station in Châteauneuf-Conthey. A bike can be rented for free for 4 hours with a deposit of Fr. 20. Children's bike, trailers, children's seats and electro bikes are available.
Restaurant in the old town serving local dishes as well as fondue.
This restaurant has tables outside in the middle of the town centre in the pedestrian zone.
Department store in the city centre. Has a section with souvenirs as well as an expensive supermarket with a good selection of local and regional products.
The train is probably the easiest way to make it into Sion. Half-hourly trains arrive to Sion railway station from Brig and Geneva passing through all major towns in Valais.
Read in the guideThere are public buses running around the city, however, the frequencies are not that great and a big part of the historical core of the city is not accessible by bus.
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Bern · Regional · BRN
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