| Coordinates: | 46.3167°N 66°W |
| Canton: | Valais |
| District: | Brigue |
| Demonym: | Brigois |
| Population: | 12,162 |
| Area: | 38 |
| Altitude: | 691 |
| Subject Name: | Brig |
| Imagepath Flag: | CHE Brig COA.svg |
| Imagepath Coa: | CHE Brig COA.svg |
| Website: | https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/brig/ |
Brig, known as Brig in German and Briga in Italian, is a town in the canton of Valais, in the commune of Brig-Glis.
The name Brig comes from the Celtic Briga, meaning “hill fortress” or “height, then castle”.
Mentioned for the first time in 1215, Brigue was not recognized as a town until the 17th century. It underwent major development thanks to Kaspar Jodok von Stockalper (1609-1691), a shrewd businessman nicknamed “King of Simplon”.
Brig’s thermal springs were already renowned during the Middle Ages. Ruined by a landslide in the 15th century, they were cleared in 1471 and annexed to the public baths.
The Jesuit Collège du Saint-Esprit, built between 1673 and 1688, is a fine example of Baroque architecture.[1]
On January 25, 1913, Brig was the starting point for Juan Bielovucic's 28-minute monoplane flight across the Alps to Domodossola.[2]
On September 24, 1993, the town was partially devastated by flooding, following the overflow of the Saltina River.
This town’s inhabitants are called Brigois.[3]
They are nicknamed the Brigands, and are also known as Holzschüö, Sschüöblätza and Turugeuche in Swiss German, i.e. the clogs, the bakers and those who take pride in their turreted houses.
The community had 468 inhabitants in 1798, 412 in 1802, 596 in 1827, 721 in 1850, 1,012 in 1860, 1,172 in 1888, 2,182 in 1900, 3,132 in 1920, 3,854 in 1950, 5,191 in 1970, 9,608 (including Glis and Brigerbad) in 1980, 10,602 in 1990 and 11,590 in 2000.[4]
● PostBus offers connections to Saas Fee, Naters, Visp and Domodossola in Italy via the Simplon Pass.
It is located near the resorts of Belalp, Saas-Fee, Zermatt, Fiesch, Bettmeralp, etc. The thermal baths at Brigerbad attract many visitors.