Grächen
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Grächen | |
---|---|
Canton | Valais |
District | Visp |
Coordinates | |
Population | 1367 (December 2002) |
Area | 14.29 km² |
Elevation | 1619 m |
Postal code | 3925 |
SFOS number | 6285 |
Website | www.gemeinde-graechen.ch |
Grächen is a resort and municipality in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The village is situated at an altitude of 1620 meters and has 1320 habitants (as of 2004).
[edit] History
Settlements in the area of Grächen probably date back to neolithic times. It certainly was a hunting ground for early Bronze Age alpine people(celts[1]). Around 750 (CE), the Alamanni started to settle in the upper (German-speaking) part of what is now the canton of Valais.
The first documented mentioning of Grächen ("de Grangis") dates back to 1295. Grächen developed into a community of farmers in servitude and paying tribute to various feudal lords, until they finally reached their independence as a community (from the Bishop of Sion) in the 19th century.
Thomas Platter, a famous citizen of 16th century Grächen, published his autobiography describing a life from humble beginnings as a goatherd to a fulfilled existence as lord of a manor, master of herbal lore, publisher and school director. His son Felix Platter became a famous medical doctor and anatomist.
[edit] Tourism
In the 20th century, Grächen changed from a farming community to a popular tourist destination. In 1937, 7000 visitors spent the night there, today, some 500,000 visitors do.
Grächen is situated on the Monte Rosa tour hiking trail and provides for a natural stop between Saas-Fee and Europahütte. It is also a base for many daytrip hiking trips.
[edit] External links
- http://www.matterhornvalley.ch/e/ -- Tourist information.
- http://www.gemeinde-graechen.ch -- The website of the municipality (German).
Baltschieder | Eisten | Embd | Grächen | Lalden | Randa | Saas-Almagell | Saas Balen | Saas-Fee | Saas-Grund | St. Niklaus | Stalden | Staldenried | Täsch | Törbel | Visp | Visperterminen | Zeneggen | Zermatt
Valais | Districts of Canton Valais | Municipalities of the canton of Valais