Margherita Hut
The Margherita Hut (Italian: Capanna Regina Margherita) is a mountain hut belonging to the Italian Alpine Club, located on the Signalkuppe of Monte Rosa in the Alps. At 4,554 metres (14,941 ft) above sea level, it is the highest building in Europe. It is also among the largest huts of the massif, alongside the Monte Rosa Hut. The Margherita Hut is located on the international border between Italy and Switzerland, between the Italian region of Piedmont and the Swiss canton of Valais. The nearest localities are Macugnaga and Alagna Valsesia, both in Piedmont. Zermatt is the closest locality on the Valais side.
The hut is dedicated to Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy from 1878 to 1900.
History
The construction of the hut was decided by the Italian Alpine Club in 1889. The hut was pre-built in the valley, then brought to its final destination by mule and then by men, and assembled on site. It was opened on August 18, 1893, in the presence of Margherita of Savoy, Queen of Italy, to whom the hut is dedicated.
The hut soon became an important research center for high elevation medicine, under the direction of Angelo Mosso. As the hut was quite small, in 1907 a newer, lower research center ("Istituto Mosso") was built near the Salati Pass, at an elevation of about 2,900 metres (9,500 ft).
In 1899 a meteorological station was added.
A complete restoration started in 1977. The original hut was dismantled, and was replaced by the current hut, which opened in 1980.
Features
The hut is owned by the central committee of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), but it is managemed by the local CAI section of Varallo Sesia.
The hut is open and managed in the summer, from early June to early September, the exact dates varying from year to year. It provides recuperation and accommodation, having 70 beds. In winter, there is an unmanaged winter facility with 12 beds.
Access
The hut can be accessed only on foot. The hike to the hut usually takes two days; hikers spend a night at the Gnifetti Hut, the Monte Rosa Hut or the Resegotti Hut, whence they get to the Margherita Hut on the following morning. The hike requires a good knowledge of alpine techniques and good athletic preparation.
References
- Swisstopo topographic and cadastral maps
External links
Media related to Capanna Regina Margherita at Wikimedia Commons