How did the people of the Rhine Valley live under the constant threat of invasion during World War II? Stand here, at the foot of the Magletsch, and you’ll feel a tremor of that tension. The Magletsch, a silent giant carved into the mountain, stands as a testament to that era. This imposing fortress, known to the Swiss Army as “Der Hammer,” was the northernmost bastion of the Sargans Fortress, a network of defenses designed to repel any invasion. Imagine the Magletsch, bristling with seven cannons, capable of hurling projectiles up to 19 kilometers! It was one of the most formidable artillery forts in Switzerland, a crucial part of the nation’s defensive strategy. The Magletsch wasn’t just about brute force. The intricate network of tunnels, stretching over 4 kilometers, housed a bakery, a laundry, even a 64-bed hospital! Over 380 soldiers could find shelter within its depths, their every need accounted for. They were prepared to weather a siege, their supplies enough to sustain them for months. Though the cannons never fired in anger, their presence served as a powerful deterrent. Today, the Magletsch stands silent, a monument to a bygone era. It serves as a reminder of the precariousness of peace and the lengths to which nations will go to protect it. As you explore its depths, imagine the lives of the men who manned these defenses, their courage and dedication echoing within these walls.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to