Art and Music: Sounds of the Mountains and Ancient Melodies
Culture in Valais is not just about what you see; it is also about what you hear. The isolation of the mountains helped preserve unique artistic traditions and world-class musical events.
The Voice of the Alps (The Alphorn): In the past, shepherds used a massive, 3-meter-long wooden instrument called the Alphorn to communicate across deep valleys and calm their cows. Today, making these horns is a rare art form. Every summer, Valais hosts the International Alphorn Festival in Nendaz, where more than 100 players perform together on a mountain ridge. The acoustic sound reflecting off the rock walls is unforgettable!- Ancient Masterpieces in Stone and Wood: Because Valais was ruled by wealthy bishops and merchants, the region is full of beautiful sacred art. Inside the medieval churches of Sion and the small chapels hidden in the valles, you can find incredible Gothic paintings and wood carvings from the 14th and 15th centuries.
The Oldest Playable Organ in the World: As mentioned before, the Valère Basilica in Sion is home to a musical treasure from 1430. This organ is a masterpiece of medieval engineering. Every summer, international musicians travel to Valais to play during the Festival International de l’Orgue Ancien, filling the ancient stone church with sounds from 600 years ago.- Modern Music Festivals: Valais is also famous for modern art. In the spring, the Zermatt Unplugged festival brings acoustic rock and pop music to the base of the Matterhorn. Musicians perform inside large tents in the snow, combining modern pop culture with the dramatic alpine landscape.
Classical Music: World-Class Talents in the High Mountains
Valais is deeply connected to classical music. During the summer, world-famous orchestras, legendary violinists, and opera singers travel to this region to perform in historic churches, modern concert halls, and even outdoors under the stars.
- The Verbier Festival (A Summer Legend): Located in the luxury ski resort of Verbier, the Verbier Festival is one of Europe’s most famous classical music events. For two weeks in July and August, international superstars and young talents perform over 60 concerts. It is an incredible opportunity to hear a professional symphony orchestra while looking at beautiful snowy peaks.
- The Sion Festival (The Capital of Violins): The city of Sion has a magnificent history of classical music. Thanks to the legacy of the famous Hungarian violinist Tibor Varga, Sion is a global center for string instruments. Every summer, the Sion Festival hosts spectacular concerts and an international violin competition where the best young players compete.
- Musikdorf Ernen (The Music Village): Ernen is a tiny, fairytale village with 16th-century wooden houses in the upper part of Valais. Despite its small size, it turns into a “Music Village” every summer. The Musikdorf Ernen Festival specializes in intimate chamber music, baroque concerts with historical instruments, and peaceful piano recitals inside a beautiful old church.
- Sinfonia Valais-Wallis: The region even has its own flexible orchestra. The Sinfonia Valais-Wallis brings together local musicians and international teachers to play everything from classic symphonies to modern visual projects across different towns in the canton