Sierre, Muzot and Rainer Maria Rilke

18 June 2025

In the predominantly French-speaking city of Sierre (Siders in German, canton of Valais/Wallis), traces of various civilisations dating back to prehistoric times are still visible: hunters, the first farmers, the Ligurians, the Celts, the Romans, the Alemanni, the Franks, Christianity, the Holy Roman Empire, and then the Republic of the Seven Zehnden, and in 1815, the canton of Valais (Wallis in German).

As the little sister of the episcopal city of Sion (Sitten) and as a trade route to and from Italy, it has experienced major conflicts, the (failed) Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, and commercial activity over the centuries. The rise of tourism has attracted not only sports and nature enthusiasts but also leading artists.

Muzot Castle

Le château de Muzot

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was one of the most prominent residents from 1921.
The museum documents his life and stay in Muzot through documentation, photos, and other illustrations and stories. His residence, a small manor or Muzot Castle, still stands, although it is not accessible to the public.

Although much new construction has been added to the area in the last hundred years, it is not surprising that this great poet chose this place as his domicile. His final resting place is in nearby Raron (Rarogne in French).