Festungsmuseum Fortezia Stalusa

About the museum

The Russein barrier position east of Disentis/Mustér was built from 1939 and completed in 1945. As the last barrier on the axis between Chur and the Gotthard fortress area, it was meant to hold up the enemy before the approaches to the Oberalp and Lukmanier passes. It includes an anti-tank obstacle at Madernal and several infantry bunkers.

During the Cold War it was reinforced: in 1967 the infantry fortification A8717 "Lumpegna", popularly known as Stalusa, was built about two and a half kilometres northeast of the village. Its armament consists of two 8.1 cm fortress mortars, and the entrance area has loopholes for small arms. The facilities include an engine room, kitchen, command room, fire control room, ammunition magazine, living quarters and a water reservoir. For forty years the complex was subject to strict secrecy; it is preserved unchanged and has not been decommissioned. In 1973 a further reinforcement was added, the fortification A8718 "Mompé Medel" with a 12 cm twin fortress mortar.

In July 2008 the "Fortezia Stalusa" association was founded. It maintains the installations, gradually makes them accessible to visitors and explains Switzerland's role in the Cold War. The ammunition cavern now houses a significant exhibition of infantry weapons, along with an exhibition of communications equipment.

Highlights

• Original, preserved mortar fortress from 1967, not decommissioned
• Guided tour through tunnels, gun positions, living quarters and ammunition cavern
• Exhibition of infantry weapons and communications equipment
• Second installation A8718 Mompé Medel for groups by appointment
• A constant temperature of around 12 °C inside the complex

Permanent exhibitions

• Festung A8717 „Lumpegna“ Stalusa – Guided tour through the corridors, gun positions, living quarters and ammunition cavern of the mortar fortress from 1967.
• Infanteriewaffen- und Übermittlungsausstellung – In the ammunition cavern the association shows an extensive collection of infantry weapons and communications equipment.

Founded

2008

Operated by

Verein Fortezia Stalusa

Admission & discounts

Prices for the A8717 "Lumpegna" Stalusa installation per person.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The Stalusa installation is located about 2.5 kilometres northeast of Disentis/Mustér in the forest; direct vehicle access to the entrance is not possible. From Chur by car, a little over an hour.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The installation can be rented for special occasions (lecture hall with projector, temperature 12–14 °C); for safety reasons a member of the association must be present.

Plan your visit