History of Fort Furggels
From a secret artillery fortress to a privately-owned bunker
A Strategic Stronghold in the Reduit
Fortress Furggels was built from 1939 to 1947 under the town of St. Margrethenberg near Pfäfers and ranks among the largest military installations ever constructed in Switzerland. As part of the Sargans fortress region, it played a key role in the Reduit defense system during the Second World War and the Cold War. For decades the installation remained strictly classified; it was only declassified in 2002.
Construction and Armament
Fortress Furggels was constructed as a heavy artillery Bunker and expanded in several phases. The first 10.5 cm turret guns became operational in 1941, with further units following in 1942. With the installation of four 15-cm bunker guns between 1946 and 1947, Furggels developed into one of the largest and most powerful fortress works in the country. The facility was continuously modernized in the 1980s making it nuclear attack proof to meet emerging threat scenarios.
- Construction began in November 1939
- First 10.5-cm turret guns operational in 1941
- Three additional turrets added in 1942
- Four 15-cm bunker guns installed between 1946 and 1947
- One of Switzerland’s largest artillery fortresses
- Modernisation continued into the 1980s (blast doors, gas locks, technical upgrades)
- Installation of extensive NBC filtration systems for protection against nuclear, biological and chemical threats
- Reinforcements for increased nuclear protection
Life and Operations Inside the Fortress
Daily operation required more than 300 soldiers. And was able to house as many as 600 soldiers. The vast underground complex relied on its own internal infrastructure.
The two levels of the facility are separated by 25 m of rock and connected by an elevator, stairways and a tunnel. Trucks were able to enter directly through the main portal and turn using a built-in rotating platform.
- over 10 km of tunnels and connecting passages
- 541 sleeping places
- large kitchen, bakery, several canteens
- hospital and medical rooms
- workshops, telephone centre, command areas
- water reservoirs with a capacity of over 1.8 million litres and 2x 100’000 lt diesel tanks
Experience the Fortress First-Hand
Book a guided tour and explore the installation up close.
Importance within the Fortress Region
Fortress Furggels was one of the most important and powerful positions within Switzerland’s national defense, alongside St. Maurice and St. Gotthard. Within the Sargans fortress region, it was the strongest artillery work and a central component of the defense line.
From Secret Installation to Museum
In 1998 the fortress was declassified as part of army reforms, and in 2002 it was fully released from secrecy. Between 2010 and 2018 the installation was open to the public. Since 2019 it has been owned by Erich Breitenmoser and can be visited on guided tours. Selected rooms are also available for specialised uses.
