Sion, Switzerland

We spent a day in Sion, Switzerland on our 3 week road trip around Europe. 

Few facts about Sion:

Sion is known as the most sun-blessed town of Switzerland. 

Sion is one of the oldest cities in Switzerland (7,000-year history).

Sion's most recognizable landmarks are Castle Tourbillon and the Castle of Valeria.

Château de Tourbillon

One of the main tourists attractions isTourbillon Castle in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland, on a hill overlooking the town of Sion. It was built around 1300 by Bishop Boniface de Challant. The castle is currently in a state of ruins following a fire in 1788.

The views on the top of the hill were breathtaking. 

At the heart of the impressive crenellated ruins, the Saint-Georges and Saint-Grat chapel is still well preserved.

Basilique de Valère

The Valère basilica is a fortified church situated in Sion. The church 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. This church is a sample of genuine Swiss architecture.

The organ on the west side of the Valère basilica, believed to have been built in 1435, is one of the oldest functioning in the world.