Discover the site

The Heidnischbühl, situated between Raron and Sankt German and overlooking the Rhone valley plain, was settled in prehistoric times for almost three millennia.

The sunlit and fertile slopes of the hill on the south side, as well as its easily defendable flat surface on the hilltop, protected from the Rhone floods, offered a favoured settlement site for the Neolithic village communities. A great number of finds was made here: decorated ceramics of the " Saint Léonard " type, polished axe blades made of serpentinite, and arrowheads made of flint and rock crystal. These pieces prove that a small hamlet existed on this site between 3800 and 3500 BC.

The hill was also occupied in the Bronze Age (2200 - 800 BC), as evidenced by a hoard of pottery and bronze objects that were probably intended for melting. A short-lasting settlement at the beginning of the Iron Age (800 - 450 BC) and graves from the Later Iron Age have also been found. Today, vineyards cover the slopes of the hill, which is much appreciated by hikers.

Activities

Visit the exhibition "Là-haut Da oben. Fortified settlements in the Valais, yesterday and today" at Schloss Leuk (Castle of Leuk). There you can admire a model of the site as well as finds from the archaeological excavations. The exhibition runs from May 20 to September 28 2022.