Suvorov monument

The Suvorov Monument in Andermatt is a cross carved into the rock face of the Schöllenen Gorge in the canton of Uri, right beside the Devil's Bridge. It honours the soldiers who fell here in September 1799, when General Alexander Suvorov's Russian army fought its way across the Alps.

What does the monument commemorate?

During the War of the Second Coalition, Suvorov marched north from Italy over the St Gotthard Pass. In the Schöllenen he met French troops under General Lecourbe. The fighting of 25 September 1799 became a defining episode in the region's history, and the French blew up the Devil's Bridge to slow the advance. The Russians crossed on a hasty repair, and many died doing so. The monument remembers the dead.

What does it look like?

A stone cross, said by one source to stand about 12 metres tall, is cut into the gorge wall, with an inscription for the fallen. Construction ran from 1895 to 1898, and the site was dedicated in September 1898. The Federal Council had approved the idea in 1883, but only once its purpose was reframed as honouring the dead, with design and inscription subject to approval. The Uri Korporation handed the land to the Russian Empire free of charge in 1893.

A legal curiosity: the plot of roughly 500 m² belongs to the Russian Federation today, though it carries no extraterritorial status and Swiss law applies.

How do you get there?

The monument sits on the road between Andermatt and Göschenen, next to the Devil's Bridge. It is about a two-minute walk from the car park, and entry is free. From Andermatt you can drive or cycle, or walk the historic Via Suworow trail, which follows the army's route. Coordinates: 46.647 N, 8.592 E.

When should you visit?

Late spring to autumn is best, when roads are dry and paths are open. In winter the rock walls can be icy. A rockfall closed access for a time, with clearance work planned until 24 September 2026, so check the current status with the Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis tourism site before you travel.

What else is nearby?

Several generations of bridges span the gorge here, and the Schöllenen is one of the best-known Alpine passages. A restaurant stands by the Devil's Bridge, and Andermatt offers more to see along the Gotthard route.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No, the site is freely accessible.

How long does a visit take? The monument itself needs only a few minutes. With the Devil's Bridge and a stretch of the gorge, allow around an hour.

Who owns the land? Roughly 500 m² belong to the Russian Federation, without extraterritorial rights.

When was it built? Work took place between 1895 and 1898, and the dedication was in September 1898.