/ The first park-museum in the world dedicated to the St. Bernard dog has opened in Martigny,
in the Valais canton of Switzerland /

Among the symbols that identify Switzerland to the world, the St. Bernard dog holds a special place alongside chocolate, cheese, and watches. Gentle giants with an imposing size and a soft heart, the St. Bernard breed has a history that goes back many centuries, originating in the snowy alpine pass from which they take their name: specifically, the Great St. Bernard Hospice, run by the canons of the Great St. Bernard. This religious community, whose refuge was located on the Via Francigena at over 2,500m in altitude on the border between Switzerland and Italy, offered rest and aid to pilgrims and travelers crossing the pass. They used robust dogs, well-adapted to the extreme cold, to rescue travelers lost in bad weather or even buried by snow.

The St. Bernard breed descended from those dogs and was bred by the monks themselves for nearly 300 years. Since 2005, their legacy has been carried on by the Barry Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to continuing the breeding of St. Bernards in their place of origin, safeguarding the breed, and raising awareness of its many qualities that make it a symbol of friendship and solidarity between dog and human.

Today, the lives of St. Bernards are decidedly less adventurous than in the past. The Great St. Bernard Pass is no longer as busy (also because a tunnel now connects Switzerland and Italy), and mountain rescue systems have evolved. St. Bernards, with their weight of over 100 kilos, are too heavy to be lowered from helicopters, so they are no longer used as avalanche dogs. Thanks to their placid and sociable nature, however, they are now often used as therapy animals, providing support to the sick, disabled, elderly, and children in need.

A Park-Museum Dedicated to The St. Bernard

Since last June, St. Bernard dogs also have an interactive park-museum dedicated to them: Barryland. Opened by the Barry Foundation in Martigny (Valais Canton, Switzerland), where the breeding facility is also located, it was built to replace an older thematic museum that was outdated in style and insufficient in size for the interest and influx of both domestic and international visitors. 

Built in the shape of a dog paw print, Barryland covers 2,400sqm and seamlessly blends with the 22,000sqm park, providing the St. Bernards the perfect place for happy living. It’s a deeply experiential attraction that immerses visitors in the history and myths surrounding the St. Bernard while discovering the dog’s unique traits: rescuer, friend, star, playful companion, and bon vivant. 

Thanks to augmented reality and stories told by narrators who appear as holograms, guests have the opportunity to, for example, visit the Great St. Bernard Pass and discover its fauna, flora, climate, and the heroic rescue feats of the dogs in that environment. There’s also a section dedicated to the St. Bernard as a Swiss cultural icon, represented over time in hundreds of stamps, postcards, engravings, posters, films, everyday objects, and more. 

Of course, there are also opportunities to meet the real dogs. In fact, of the more than 30 St. Bernards that live at the Barry Foundation, about a dozen visit Barryland every day. Their daily schedule includes attentive care, walks, games in the park, and cuddles in the relaxation room. Visitors can witness various moments, from brushing to agility courses, and even physical and hydrotherapy sessions for the dogs that need them.

An Ambitious Project for The Benefit of The Entire Area

With a total investment exceeding 25 million francs (approx. 27 million euros), funded by their own resources, a targeted fundraising campaign, and the support of numerous public and private partners, Barryland aims to double the number of visitors compared to the old museum, surpassing 160,000 visitors per year, and thus become a driving force for the development of local tourism and the economy. “The city has just grown and gained in quality as a hub for museums and culture,” David Martinetti, Deputy Mayor of Martigny, stated at the inauguration at the end of June.

Continue reading Games & Parks Industry September 2025, page 64

Photos Courtesy: ©Nicolas Beiner, ©Kévin Fasolato; ©Nelly Rodriguez

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