Militärmuseum St. Luzisteig

About the museum

The St. Luzisteig between Maienfeld and Balzers is an ancient crossing that was already used in Roman times. Because of its location close to the national border, the pass summit was fortified over the centuries: fortifications have been documented since the Swabian War of 1499, the north gate bears the date 1705, and after 1831 the Swiss Confederation had the complex rebuilt under the direction of Richard La Nicca. Later the Batterie Herzog, the blockhouses on the Fläscherberg and the Guschaturm were added.

The museum building, the old arsenal, was built from 1854 to 1856 under General Henri Dufour as a protected shelter for the fortress garrison. It served as an armory until 1994. From 1966 to 2003, the St. Luzisteig training ground was also the site of the transport corps schools, in which young recruits and horses were prepared for service in the mountains.

After the Army Reform 95, the Militärhistorische Stiftung Graubünden was established, which aims to preserve militarily significant objects and make them publicly accessible. The Verein Militärmuseum St. Luzisteig was founded in 2003; since 2004 the building has belonged to the town of Maienfeld and houses the museum. The exhibition shows military equipment and weapons from the period 1875 to 1995, a large collection of transport corps equipment as a memorial to the horse in the army, and the history of the pass fortifications. In the “Generalstübli”, dedicated to the generals Dufour, Herzog, Wille and Guisan, groups can be served refreshments.

Highlights

• Old arsenal from 1854–1856 on the St. Luzisteig pass summit
• Military equipment and weapons from 1875 to 1995
• Vehicles, harnesses and veterinary equipment as a memorial to the horse in the army
• 15-minute documentary on the history of the St. Luzisteig
• Marked trails to the Guschaturm, Batterie Herzog and the blockhouses on the Fläscherberg
• “Generalstübli” for groups, with food from the military kitchen

Permanent exhibitions

• Wehrbereitschaft der Schweiz 1875–1995 – Military equipment and weapons give an insight into how Switzerland prepared its defense between 1875 and 1995.
• Denkmal für das Pferd in der Armee – Vehicles, harnesses, riding gear as well as farrier and veterinary equipment recall the transport corps schools that trained on the St. Luzisteig from 1966 to 2003.
• Die Geschichte der St. Luzisteig – The pass as a traffic route, military barrier and battleground, as well as the construction history of the pass fortifications and barracks, supplemented by a documentary film.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Verein Militärmuseum St. Luzisteig

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum itself, the museum is barrier-free; a stair lift is available.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Maienfeld–Balzers main road, level with the Landgasthof St. Luzisteig; from Maienfeld and Fläsch it is signposted as “Militärmuseum.”

Amenities & dining

In the “Generalstübli”, groups of 10 or more can be served by advance booking with an aperitif, lunch, Zvieri (afternoon snack) or dinner, with classics from the military kitchen and wines from the Bündner Herrschaft.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 50 guests.

The “Generalstübli” is available to groups of 10 to 50 people for refreshments before or after a museum tour; reservations with the curator.

Plan your visit