Monthly Archives: May 2016

The Secret Fortress of Sasso San Gottardo, Saturday June 18, 2016
Sasso San Gottardo, the largest Swiss fortress of the 20th century, formerly known as the fortress Sasso da Pigna, was one of the foundations of the Swiss national defence system both during WW II and the Cold War. Open to the public since August 2012, the installation also houses the largest and most beautiful crystals in the world. This joint event created by the Oxbridge, INSEAD and Fletcher alumni clubs is a unique opportunity to better understand the historical context of Switzerland’s position within Europe today Guests will be welcomed by Dr. Riccardo Jagmetti, a professor and former president of the Swiss Upper House, who will talk about the strategic dilemmas Switzerland faced during WW II. Dr. Alfred Markwalder, a former general, responsible for the Gotthard region, and chairman of the Sasso San Gottardo foundation will give us a guided tour through the former fortress.  We look forward to seeing you on June 18, 2016.More….

Prof. Dr. emeritus Riccardo Jagmetti

Former Federal Council Member
Riccardo Jagmetti was a Professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law at the ETH. He served as a Member of Zurich State Parliament 1971 to 1983, and was Member of Federal Council of States (Senate) from 1983-1995, chairing it from 1993 to 1994. During his military service, he was a Colonel in the Staff of Alpine Army Corps in charge of road and rail transport in the Alpine Region. Riccardo Jagmetti is a federal and cantonal attorney. He studied law in Zurich, Geneva and Paris, attaining a Doctor of Law at the University of Zurich.

Dr. Alfred Markwalder

President of the Sasso San Gottardo Foundation
Alfred Markwalder began his career at IBM Switzerland and IBM Europe. He then became National Armaments Director and Member of the Board at Ministry of Defence. He was a regiment commander during his military service and served as commander of the Gotthard Brigade from 1998 to 2000. He studied economics, achieving a doctorate in 1973 and was an assistant at Professor University of Bern.

Key Facts

When: Saturday June 18, 2016
Where: Gotthard Passhöhe  (Gotthardstrasse between Airolo and Andermatt at 2,108 meters)
Tickets: CHF 70.00 (price includes entry ticket to Sasso San Gottardo fortress and lunch)
Registration:
On Xing Events https://en.xing-events.com/SASSOALUMCLUBS.html
Due to capacity constraint, it is advisable to register as early as possible.

Clothing: The fortress is cool (18 degrees Celsius) and the tunnel system can be slightly slippery. It is therefore advisable to wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Unofficial Dinner: Participants might opt to have dinner in small groups at the Hotel Chedi in Andermatt after the event on their own initiative. For those of you who wish to have dinner at Chedi, public transportation is as follows.

From Chedi to Bahnhof Andermatt it is 5 minutes

Bus Service:  A bus service is available from Göschenen for transport to the Gotthard Pass.
Capacity: 40
Cost: CH 20 per person

Shuttle bus
10:50 from Göschenen to arrive on the Gotthard Pass between 11:00-11:15.
Passengers have time for coffee  in the Hospiz on the pass before walking to the Sasso San Gottardo (walking distance = 5 minutes). The light lunch starts there at 12:00.
16:45  return Göschenen to arrive there before 17:11 in time for train to Arth-Goldau
Any questions, please send an email to [email protected].

Program
11:45  Arrival of participants at Sasso San Gottardo (Located 300m from the Gotthard Pass. Parking is available in front of the entrance gate).
12:00  Crystal Hall: Light Lunch
12:45  Lecture Hall: “The Strategic Status of the Gotthard” by Prof. Dr. emeritus Riccardo Jagmetti
13:15  Break for 15 minutes
13:30  Guided tour by Dr. Alfred Markwalder
16:30  Lecture Hall: Closing Remarks