ST BERNARD DOG MUSEUM - MARTIGNY
Musee et Chiens du Saint-Bernard
The Romans
had been traversing the southern Alps from Italy to the valley
of the Rhone
River, the Swiss Valais since ancient times. In 962, a Benedictine
monk from Savoy, Bernard of Menthon, established a hospice way station
monastery on the high mountain pass to serve the pilgrims braving the
near perpetual
ice and snow. Large dogs with thick furry coats of the Roman Mosseler
breed would be used to help find and rescue travelers trapped in the
snows. By the 1700s these dogs bred over the centuries came to be called
the St Bernard from the hospice on the Great St Bernard Pass. The big
friendly breed also known as a Swiss Alpen Mastiff of St Bernard’s
has been one of the world’s most recognized and revered dog breeds.
Just
to the east of the Valais Switzerland town of Martigny which lies at
the valley foot
of the route to the pass to the east of Mont Blanc,
the St Bernard Dog Museum (Musee et Chiens du Saint-Bernard) was established
in a former military warehouse by the Foundation of Bernard (no relation)
and Caroline Wattville to showcase the history of the dog and its place
as a cultural icon. The museum consists of both an exhibit of the history
of the dog breed and a kennel for
living examples.
The first floor of the museum presents a collection
of artifacts and that tell the story
of the Great St Bernard Pass and Hospice. A movie presents the story
of “Francois The Pilgrim”, caught in the snow on the high
pass and from whom we know the name of the breed. Images of the St Bernard
from
Flemish
oil paintings to post cards and cartoons, present the affectionate animal
in popular culture. Napoleon's crossing of the Great St Bernard Pass
in the footsteps of Hannibal 
into
Italy is also represented. The French general and later emperor headquartered
for time in a building
still
standing in the old town, within walking distance. The second floor of
the museum presents temporary exhibitions and on the ground floor, as well as the gift shop
with plenty of plush pups for the kids to take home and a restaurant,
the entrance to the kennels, where the throaty bark of the real thing
greets
the visitor.
The dogs
are let
out to
play
under supervision in the green park area behind the museum building.
Visiting the St Bernard Dog Museum
Admission
to the St Bernard Museum is 12 CHF for Adults, 10 CHF for Seniors, 7
CHF for Students, children under 8 are free. A family ticket is available,
and if you reach Martigny by car driving through the St Bernard Pass
tunnel from Italy, save your receipt and get a return passage for free.
The museum is located on the Rue du Levant just next to the preserved
Roman Amphitheater of Martigny and 200 yards from the Pierre Gianadda
Foundation Museum (see Fondation Gianadda). The St Bernard Express railway stops about 300 yards
from the museum (the first stop after departing Martigny train station).
Martigny is about two hours by rail or car from Geneva. © Bargain
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