Basilique de Valère

If you’re in Sion, take the time to go up the hill and visit the basilica. It’s very old and home to one of the oldest working organs in the world. The architecture is typical of the area and well worth the visit.

Fine old church on the hill overlooking Sion. Well worth a visit. Not so many attractions in Sion but this is certainly one of them. A bit of a climb to get up there but worth it for the views and the church. Also other attractions nearby so worth doing at the same time. Doesn’t really get busy so nice and quiet most of the time. Don’t need to spend long but worthwhile.

Nice hike to get to the Basilica. The church itself is pretty ok, nothing to write home about. They do have a pretty cool 3D model that it's rotated to overlay different pictures of the Basilica through the years. The view of the Basilica from the castle ruins across is pretty amazing.

The Basilique de Valère, or Basilica of Valeria, is the church located on the southern of the two castle hills on the eastern edge of the old town of Sion. It houses one of the oldest playable organs in the world, dating back to the 15th century. The castle and basilica of Valeria, named in honor of Valeriana, the mother of the Roman city prefect Titus Campanius Priscus Maximianus, whose existence is documented in 43 AD, are located on one of the two hills that dominate the city of Sion on the eastern side of the old town. Originally built in Celtic times, the castle and church were first documented in 1049. The oldest parts of the three-aisled basilica, divided into four bays, with a transept and two chapels flanking the choir, were built between 1100 and 1130 in the High Romanesque style. Later additions included the tower above the northern transept, the polygonal window storeys above the semicircular apse, and the barrel vault above the pillars. In the 13th century, the nave and side aisles were given a cross-rib vault, modeled on Lausanne Cathedral. The rood screen separating the choir from the nave was also added during this period. Designed as a pilgrimage church dedicated to "Our Lady of Valeria," the miraculous image, a Gothic marble statue of the Madonna and Child from the early 15th century, is the church's central feature. Today, it stands high above the high altar. Images of apostles, prophets, and local saints adorn the choir walls. On the west wall of the nave is a Swallow's Nest organ, dating back to the 15th, perhaps even the 14th, century, making it one of the oldest playable organs in the world. It was probably built in 1435 and expanded by four stops in 1687. It fell into disuse in the 19th century. In the 1950s, the instrument was gradually revived by conservator Maurice Wenger, after experts gradually recognized the uniqueness and value of the instrument. Since 1969, it has been performed every summer as part of the International Festival for Early Organs.

The construction of this medieval church started in the mid 11 hundreds and was terminated about 100 years later. It has been subject to multiple renovations over the centuries, the latest between 2016 and 2022. When walking uphill, like we did the first and beautiful Sunday of December 2024, it's easy to imagine which physical efforts went in to its construction along with the buildings to the south and west where clergymen and their pupils had their living quarters. The church was named a basilica as late as 1987. It houses the world's oldest playable organ that was ordered around 1435. When you walk up from the old town of Sion you pass by all the important museums, that we will visit in the near future.

Special Basilica on high ground in Sion Switzerland 🇨🇭 that is well preserved and includes a museum of great artifacts from 2000 B.C.to present day 👍😎

The climb up might take your breath, but it is worth it. We did not go inside the museum, we only visited the interior which is free to visit and it includes a small exhibition of a mill. There is a nice viewing platform with the view of the entire town. We enjoyed it a lot!

The church was closed so I was not able to get inside but the surrounding is very nice!

Valere Basilica i s a fortified church which stands on an opposite hill from the hill on which the Castle of Tourbillon lies. Valere was built during the 12th and 13th centuries and obtained the rank of minor basilica at the time of the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1984. This was the first time I have been to a castle - that was really a Church. It is quite impressive and the inside is well preserved. There is even an organ on the west side of the basilica that is believed to have been built in 1425, which would make it one of the oldest organs in the world that still works. Its pipes are arranged to form a rough outline of a church. There is a small museum here that you need to pay extra to enter. I didn't enter the museum when I was there as I was running out of time, and the church itself was pretty impressive to explore by itself.

From Valere there is a great overview on the city of Sion and the surroundings