In the Middle Ages, the history of Sierre was shaped primarily by events either instigated or endured by kings, princes or lords. It was, above all, a place of hills, a stronghold of feudalism, a proper market town with its manor houses and fortified dwellings from which the plain could be watched over.
The State of Valais was created in 999 when the last King of Burgundy, Rudolph III, granted all county rights to the Bishop of Sion, who thus became prince-bishop. The patriots of the Upper Valais subsequently engaged in a struggle against the bishop to gain greater political rights. It was during these troubled times of the Middle Ages, in the 13th and 14th centuries, that many of the castles on the Sierre hills were destroyed – only the Tower of Goubing survived. First constructed by the patricians and the peasant winegrowers, Sierre became a town of industry and services from 1900, containing within its walls and in its soul this diversity which led to its birth and growth.
Today, Sierre is not only a thriving economic hub but also a lively centre of culture, hosting festivals, arts events and community activities in its various districts. The inhabitants of Sierre continue to celebrate their heritage whilst embracing the opportunities of the present, thus creating a symbiosis between the past and the future which defines the very essence of this charming Swiss town.
