Migros Group
All of it is Migros
Did you know? Migros is not only home to supermarkets and factories, but also a chapel, a funicular railway, an observatory and even a fire brigade.
Guardian angels in orange
Migros has its largest logistics operation in Neuendorf in the Swiss canton of Solothurn – an entire village of warehouses. Outsiders find it difficult to find their way around the huge and labyrinthine complex. That is why this area has its own fire brigade for emergencies. The 35 firefighters have four vehicles, including a classic fire engine complete with ladder, hose and water tank.
Private tracks
The logistics facility in Neuendorf also includes nine kilometres of private railway tracks. Goods trains full of Migros products roll down these tracks – from garden swings and gas grills to frozen fish fingers.
A church with sweeping views
The only place of worship owned by Migros is on Monte Generoso. It is a stone chapel that stands at an altitude of 1,618 metres above sea level. This is even closer to heaven than other churches.
A powerful funicular railway
The Monte Generoso railway climbs no less than 1,328 metres on its way from Capolago to the restaurant at the summit of the Ticino excursion mountain. Migros founder Gottlieb Duttweiler bought the railway in 1941 without much ado because the owner at the time wanted to close the line and sell off the tracks for scrap iron.
Bowling by the water
Those who have enjoyed themselves having a blast on the slides totalling 1,000 metres in length in the Säntispark water park in Abtwil in the canton of St.Gallen can go and have a ball afterwards. That is because the leisure centre also includes a bowling alley.
A lakeside paradise for dogs
In Melano on the shores of Lake Lugano, Migros operates the Monte Generoso campsite, which covers 20,000 square metres. It has received an award from the camping guide ACSI for being dog-friendly. For example, our four-legged friends have a place to drink right at the entrance and their own bathing area on the beach.
A window into space
Migros has its own small observatory on the Gurten. Interested visitors can gaze at lunar craters, the rings of Saturn or distant suns during guided tours. The telescope features a magnification of up to 500×.
A first-class restaurant
The Igniv Restaurant at Hotel Marktgasse in Zurich, also owned by Migros, is another heavenly place. The restaurant was opened in 2020 by top chef Andreas Caminada from the Grisons and has already earned a Michelin star as well as 16 Gault Millau points.
A secret treasure chamber
The Migros Museum of Contemporary Art is easy to find – located at Limmatstrasse 270 in Zurich. However, only few insiders know about its art warehouse, which houses 1,400 works by 700 artists, including legends such as Andy Warhol, in a fireproof building that could even withstand earthquakes.