Grächen
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Grächen | |
|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland |
| Canton | Valais |
| District | Visp |
| Coordinates | |
| Population | 1,367 (December 2002) |
| - Density | 96 /km² (248 /sq.mi.) |
| Area | 14.29 km² (5.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,619 m (5,312 ft) |
| Postal code | 3925 |
| SFOS number | 6285 |
| Surrounded by | Eisten, Embd, Sankt Niklaus, Stalden, Törbel |
| Website | www.gemeinde-graechen.ch |
  Grächen
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Grächen is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais in 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).
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