After two years of work, the Barry Foundation has opened Barryland, the world’s first theme park dedicated to St. Bernards, in Martigny, Switzerland.
The opening ceremony was attended by Patricia Constantin, president of the Grand Council of Valais; Alain Dubois, head of the Valais Cultural Department; David Martinetti, vice president of the City of Martigny; and Damian Constantin, director of Valais/Wallis Promotion.
“The work ran on time and to schedule. We arranged to open to the public at the end of June and… here we are!” says Jean-Maurice Tornay, president of the Barry Foundation and head of the project.
The foundation is replacing its former museum to meet increasing public interest, both domestically and internationally. The project features a new, competitive tourist attraction with an innovative living museum, 14 new job opportunities, and an expanded restaurant.
The new park has been financed by a combination of the foundation’s own funds and a dedicated campaign. Barryland opens thanks to strong commitment from companies, foundations, public bodies, and donors.
Five themed zones
Built in the shape of a dog paw print, the space spans over 2,400 square metres and seamlessly blends with the 22,000 square metre park, providing the St. Bernards with an ideal environment for happy living. After a tender process, the Barryland project was awarded to architects from GAME in Martigny.
The firm rose to the challenge with concrete curved walls on two levels and a self-supporting green roof. “Over 90 companies worked on the project and 70% come from the region,” says the director of Barryland, Mélanie Glassey-Roth.
With five engaging areas, visitors can enjoy a fun and interactive experience, immersing themselves in the history and myths of the St. Bernard while learning about its unique traits. They also have the opportunity to observe the dogs in their natural environment and see firsthand how they are cared for on a daily basis.
The thematic worlds represent the main character traits of St. Bernards: Barry Rescuer, Barry Playmate, Barry Star, Barry Bon Vivant and Barry Friend.
“Each visit offers an immersive experience lasting over three hours,” adds Glassey-Roth.
Through this ambitious project, The Barry Foundation underlines its dedication to St. Bernards and to safeguarding this iconic breed, while also establishing Martigny as a must-visit destination for animal enthusiasts and those interested in Alpine heritage.
“The city has just grown and gained in quality as a hub for museums and culture,” says Martinetti.
Pets look set to be a big attractions and travel trend in the coming years.
Earlier this year, a group of Italian museums announced they would be providing a free dog-sitting service to attract more visitors, in partnership with Bauadvisor. Dog owners will be able to leave their pets with trained minders at the entrances of venues like the Uffizi Galleries in Florence, the MAXXI museum in Rome, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, and the National Archaeological Museum in Naples.
