Château de Vex

The Tavelli Tower (Tour Tavelli) in Vex is a medieval tower with an unusual octagonal plan, standing in the village of Vex in the Swiss canton of Valais. The village sits on the left bank of the Rhône at the mouth of the Val d'Hérens, a short distance from Sion. Wikidata lists it as a tower ruin, while local and travel sources present it as a surviving piece of the village's medieval fabric.

What is it?

The tower is all that remains of a castle once held by the Tavelli family, who, together with the de la Tour family, were feudal lords in Vex. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland dates the surviving tower to the 13th century. The Routard guide puts its construction around 1200 and a restoration in 1997. Swiss archives hold a file titled "Vex, Tour Tavelli" covering 1996 to 2001, which includes an archaeological study carried out during the works.

What makes it special?

The octagonal footprint. Medieval towers in Valais are usually square or round, and local descriptions single out the Tavelli tower's eight-sided shape as rare in the region. For castle and fortification enthusiasts, that is the main reason to stop in Vex.

What else is there in Vex?

Vex is a commune in the Hérens district. It also includes the hamlets of Les Prasses and Ypresses and the ski resorts of Les Collons and Thyon. Traces of Neolithic, Early Bronze Age and Roman settlement have been found here. From about 1100 until 1798 the village was under the cathedral chapter of Sion. The parish dates to the 11th century; the old Romanesque church of Saint-Sylve was replaced by a chapel to Saints Anthony and Blaise, probably built in the 16th century, and the present parish church dates from 1962. The village also has a long irrigation tradition: its main bisse (irrigation channel) is mentioned as early as 1453.

How do you get there?

Vex lies on the road from Sion into the Val d'Hérens, so it combines easily with a day in Sion and its castles of Valère and Tourbillon. The tower stands among the village houses (coordinates 46.204 N, 7.408 E). The visit is a look at the building from outside as part of a walk through the village.

When should you come?

The tower can be seen all year. In summer, Vex pairs well with hikes in the Val d'Hérens; in winter, with skiing at Les Collons and Thyon, both reached by road from the village.

Frequently asked questions

How old is the Tavelli Tower? It is medieval. The Historical Dictionary of Switzerland dates the surviving tower to the 13th century, and the Routard guide to around 1200.

Why is it octagonal? Local descriptions stress that the shape is rare in the region. The tower belonged to the castle of the Tavelli family, feudal lords in Vex.

Has the tower been restored? Yes. According to the Routard guide the work was completed in 1997, and the archaeological documentation covers 1996 to 2001.

What language is spoken in Vex? Vex is in the French-speaking part of Valais, so signs and information on site are in French.