Villages in the mountains of Switzerland: such beauty will take your breath away. My ideal Switzerland Shirakawa Village, Japan
I continue to talk about interesting places in Switzerland, and today my story will be dedicated to one mountain village. At first glance, this is a typical Swiss village among the idyllic landscapes of northeastern Switzerland, but a careful eye will notice some strange structures among the green meadows and grazing cows. And if the eye is not only attentive but also curious, then curiosity can lead him to one of the largest underground cities in Switzerland, located right under the village.
Well, now about everything in more detail...
01. I was returning from another weekend trip to Switzerland and on the way I came across another paradise location that I couldn’t pass by. Since I was in no hurry, I decided to take a little walk around this picturesque village with my camera. Moreover, the weather was very conducive to such a walk.
02. Is it possible to drive past such beauties?
03. First, I decided to walk to the edge of the cliff on which the village was located. The views from there promised to be amazing.
04. Provincial Swiss idyll.
05. On this sunny September day, visibility was tens of kilometers around.
06. I can’t even imagine what a sense of freedom the parachutist soaring among such landscapes and clouds experienced.
07. Mountain peaks with snow-covered fields were visible in the distance.
08. From the cliff you can see the entire valley with numerous settlements, river, roads and railways.
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10. Unfortunately, the edge of the cliff was overgrown with dense vegetation and it was possible to photograph the valley below only through gaps in the foliage.
11. Something resembling a ventilation pipe sticks out right in the middle of the clearing.
12. There are a couple more hatches nearby. What is all this doing here, five hundred meters from the village and twenty meters from a steep cliff? The answer will be found soon.
13. In the meantime, I continue my walk among the idyll that surrounds me.
14. Sun-drenched green meadows, neat houses, and silence, broken only by the ringing of bells of cows grazing on the hills. One version of what heaven might look like.
15. The photographs speak for themselves.
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17. The ringing of their bells still rings in my ears when I look through these photographs.
This is what it sounds like:
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19. The residential buildings and the area around them are so well-groomed that it’s hard to believe that this is not scenery, but an ordinary village, lost in the Swiss province.
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21. Beauty!
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24. The products of the automobile manufacturer Subaru are in high demand in Switzerland. Nowhere else have I seen so many Subaru cars on the roads as in this mountainous country.
25. Village houses.
26. Fences perform a purely decorative function.
27. Each house is decorated with flowers.
28. There is nothing to comment here. Everything is visible and so.
29. This could be the end of the post if I had not paid attention to the strange structures that I initially mistook for mini-sheds for hay. Moreover, there were cows grazing nearby.
30. There were several such structures here.
31. One of them was missing part of the back wall and what I saw made me think.
32. But I didn’t think for long, since the next object dispelled all doubts - this village is not simple.
All these sheds were nothing more than artillery pieces, skillfully disguised as agricultural buildings. I never cease to be amazed at how skillfully the Swiss camouflage military installations. In the last post, I wrote about a village disguised as a village, which I would not have noticed if not for one mistake in the disguise.
33. In these “sheds” I would also never have recognized armored turrets with guns, if not for the lack of camouflage on one of them.
34. The plateau on which the village with a military facility is located is located above the clouds, which is clearly visible in this frame.
35. Since there is artillery, then there must be machine-gun points to cover the guns - I thought and began to peer suspiciously at every house in this village.
36. I didn’t have to search for long.
37. After the knowledge I had just acquired, this barn, standing a little away from the rest of the houses in the village, seemed very suspicious to me.
38. A closer inspection confirmed my idea that this was not a barn.
39. Behind the missing camouflage panels, something resembling a pillbox was clearly visible.
40. The pillbox had the shape of a mushroom, in the leg of which there were four machine-gun embrasures, located 90° from each other and thus allowing firing at 360°.
41. Camouflage panels made it possible to see the surrounding area, while they themselves perfectly concealed the object.
42. It would be incorrect to call this structure a pillbox, since it is nothing more than a combat block of a fortress, connected to a vast underground part by an underground passage.
43. Concrete mushroom.
44. There was also an emergency exit, but it turned out to be walled up.
After examining this block, I made an attempt to find other blocks that should have been nearby, but my attempt was unsuccessful. They were probably so camouflaged that I did not recognize them during a quick inspection of the village. The picture from Wikipedia gives a more complete picture of part of the above-ground structures of the Furggels fortress, which are located in this village. I used red arrows to indicate the objects I identified - three cannons and one machine-gun casemate.
Another of these objects (second from the bottom) can be seen in photo 21 - this is a barn in the background, which is difficult to suspect as a military facility, however, there is an emergency entrance to the fortress. For those who may be in these places, I give the coordinates of the village: 46°58"53.6"N 9°30"24.3"E.
45. All these objects are just the tip of the iceberg - a huge underground city, part of which is located under this village. I set out to find the entrance to this huge underground world and I easily succeeded - the entrance was located right next to the road leading to this village, about five hundred meters from the village. It turned out that in the underground part of the fortress there is a working restaurant and excursions are conducted around the fortress.
46. The doors were hospitably open and I stepped inside.
47. The size of the thorn leading underground struck me right away. Its width and height were sufficient for an army truck to pass.
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49. Poterna leads to a large hall, the entrance to which is guarded by a guard casemate with a machine-gun embrasure.
50. The size of the hall is impressive. Especially considering the fact that it was all carved out of rock. I saw something similar only in Balaklava in .
51. Obviously, this hall is intended for unloading transport that delivered to underground city ammunition, ammunition and provisions.
52. This is evidenced by the turntable for turning army trucks.
54. Fork.
55. The posterna, going to the left, leads to the restaurant and to the lower level of the fortress, the path to the right is locked, there is the upper level of the fortress.
56. Either the upper level is abandoned, or it can only be visited as part of a tour, I don’t know.
57. Along the road there is a gateway made of two massive armored doors. I believe it was built in the post-war period as part of improving the anti-nuclear protection of the fortress.
58. Having walked another hundred meters, I come across another gateway made of two ordinary armored doors. On the left you can see a branch from the main postern, going into the darkness. A sign on the fence prohibits entry there.
59. Having passed the next armored doors, I find myself in the residential part of the fortress. By this time I had already walked at least half a kilometer underground, and the road still did not end.
60. There was a post office in every Swiss fortress, Festung Furggels was no exception.
61. Labyrinths of the support zone.
62. To the left, behind the washbasin, there is a restaurant, which is an ordinary soldiers’ canteen, in which military personnel living in the fortress during its army past ate. Judging by the appearance of the dining room, nothing has been changed in it since war times, leaving everything as it was.
63. Approaching the restaurant worker, I asked if I could go on a tour of the fortress. The answer did not please me - excursions are only possible with a guide at a clearly defined time, and you must first send a request by email. I was an hour late for the excursion that day. I asked why you can’t explore the fortress yourself, as is customary in many other similar museum sites in Switzerland? The answer was this: the fortress is huge and there is a high danger of getting lost in its labyrinths.
64. Furggels Fortress is one of the largest underground sites of the Swiss Redoubt - a defensive line created during World War II.
65. Unfortunately, I was not able to go on an excursion that day, but I firmly decided that I would definitely return here. So this is not the last post about this impressive object.
66. The road to the exit.
I took a short video along the way:
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69. Such secrets are hidden in the Swiss outback, which can sometimes be stumbled upon completely by accident.
70. I have a lot to tell about underground Switzerland, so fans of underground secrets will find many more interesting exclusives in this blog.
The administration of the Swiss village of Albinen, where only 240 inhabitants remain, has come up with a way to save it from extinction. Officials are ready to pay 25 thousand Swiss francs (almost one and a half million rubles) to anyone who wants to move to their village with stunning views. But this plan comes with conditions that could make the move much more difficult.
The Swiss village of Albinen looks like it came straight out of a postcard or advertising video. It is located at an altitude of just over a kilometer, and its main part is made up of forests and fields, and the rest of the territory is occupied by narrow streets with ancient houses.
Now, perhaps, anyone can go to this village and receive a monetary reward for it, as he writes. This initiative was taken by the administration of Albinen, where only 240 residents remained. Despite the stunning views, people are leaving the settlement, and with the departure of the last three families, the local school was forced to close.
According to the officials’ plan, the administration will pay each adult who comes to the village 25 thousand Swiss francs (about 1,488,000 rubles), and for each child an additional payment of 10 thousand Swiss francs (about 595 thousand rubles) will be assigned. Thus, a family with two children can receive 70 thousand Swiss francs to admire this view.
But don't rush to pack your bags. Like, there are conditions in this regard. Firstly, new residents must be no older than 45 years, but most importantly, they must buy or build housing in Albinen, and its cost must be at least 200 thousand Swiss francs (approximately 11,119,000 rubles).
In addition, if new arrivals suddenly change their minds and leave the village before 10 years, they will have to return the money they previously received back.
With the help of such a plan, local authorities hope not only to attract new residents to the village, but also to save its economy. After all, people who come will buy local goods, hire local contractors to build houses and pay taxes to the village budget.
The plan, however, has not yet been adopted. The administration will vote for him on November 30, so if you meet the criteria, you can especially mark this date on the calendar.
When Facebook users heard about the news, they were most concerned about the prospect of work, which would most likely be difficult to find in a village where only 240 people live. But the administration says that just half an hour's drive from Albinen there are more big cities, for example, Wisp and Zion.
Officials really hope that their proposal will be accepted and will attract new residents to the settlement so that it does not completely die out. And they want to believe. After all, there are few places where you can meet the morning with such a view.
The photos from Albinen are so beautiful that it’s time to introduce a ban on them, just like I did. True, it later turned out that the ban was not real, but just a PR campaign, also designed to draw attention to the small settlement.
The administration has not yet made any provision for granting Swiss citizenship to future visitors. But if any of them want to apply for it, then they should know that relations with their neighbors are very important, because they have a say in such matters. One vegan woman from Denmark irritated the residents of her town so much that...
Quote from valniko77 The most beautiful European villages and towns
In European countries there are many villages that, in terms of the originality of their architecture, are not inferior to the capital’s attractions, and the incredibly picturesque nature around them can cause genuine delight even among experienced travelers. Here are just some of the most picturesque villages and small towns located across Europe.
Obidos, Portugal
This picturesque ancient city has long been part of the dowry of Portuguese queens. The city has many architectural attractions, the largest of which is the Óbidos Castle, built in the 12th century. Obidos is also famous for its delicious chocolate (it is even called the “chocolate capital”) and the traditional cherry liqueur ginjinha.
Village of Eze, Cote d'Azur France
This is an incredibly picturesque place in the resort area of the French Riviera. The settlement is very ancient - it was founded by the Phoenicians, and received its name in honor of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis. Today, the oldest building in Eze is the Church of Penitents of the White Brotherhood, which was built in 1306. Many celebrities rested and worked in this place. For example, it was in these picturesque places that Nietzsche wrote his philosophical novel Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
Hallstatt, Austria
This Austrian commune is located in a remote mountainous area and is considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe. Here are the oldest European salt mines and the world's oldest pipeline that carries brine to Ebensee.
Pitigliano, Italy
The population of this picturesque village is only 4,000 people. Quite a large part local population Jews make up the town, which is why the town even received the nickname Little Jerusalem. Near the city there are many Etruscan crypts, which local residents used as wine cellars. There are a lot of architectural monuments from the Middle Ages in the city itself and its surroundings.
Polperro, UK
The incredibly picturesque fishing village, located near Plymouth, attracts so many tourists in the summer that tourism has recently become a major part of the local economy.
Wengen, Switzerland
Wengen - incredible beautiful village, located in the Bernese Alps. The number of tourists here is always 5 or even 10 times higher than the number of the local population. It is well developed here skiing, and every year in winter the famous Lauberhorn race is held. In addition to skiing and the magnificent surrounding scenery, tourists are offered a rich cultural program: organ music evenings are held at the local church, and folk and brass music concerts are organized at the station. There is also a famous puppet theater in Wengen.
Rapperswil. Switzerland.
Rapperswill is a small Swiss town located at the foot of the Alpine mountains, near Lake Zürichsee. The main feature of the inconspicuous town is roses. It is all planted with entire plantations of cultivated rose hips; its coat of arms also features a romantic thorn. In summer, the town turns into a huge blooming and fragrant flowerbed - several tens of thousands of roses of several hundred species and varieties bloom here.
Autouard, France
Many people believe that Autouar is the most beautiful village in all of France. The village has existed for more than 800 years, but most of all it has preserved buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, which look very picturesque against the backdrop of the massive cliffs that surround Otoire on all sides.
Deia, Mallorca island
The glory of this small village lies not only in its picturesque surroundings, but also in its many famous people who lived here at different times. English poet Robert Graves, American writer Anais Nin, poetess Claribel Alegria - this is far from full list celebrities. Today, Deia's popularity among tourists is so high that as many as 20 restaurants are constantly operating in the village to feed all guests.
Ravello, Italy
The picturesque surroundings of Ravello have always attracted many tourists, including many celebrities. At one time, composer Edvard Grieg, Greta Garbo, Sofia Loren, Gore Vidal and many others vacationed here. One of the main attractions of the village is the cathedral, built in 1086. A priceless relic is kept here - a vessel with the blood of the great martyr and healer Panteleimon.
Pucisce, Croatia
Pucisce is an amazingly beautiful small town located on the island of Brac. The width of the island itself is only 12 km, and the length is 40 km. Not far from the city there are quarries where the famous snow-white limestone is mined. This “Brac stone” was used to line Diocletian’s palace in ancient times, and in our time it decorates the Washington White House. But the main activity of the island’s residents is, of course, serving the numerous tourists arriving in these picturesque places from all over the world.
Kazimierz Dolny, Poland
Kazimierz Dolny is considered one of the most beautiful Polish cities. It has been attracting crowds of tourists and artists for more than two hundred years, especially in the summer. Impromptu art galleries are located on almost every street here, and any of the exhibits can not only be viewed, but also purchased. There are also many historical buildings in the city, and outside the city tourists will find magnificent rural views and picturesque ruins.
Carlingford, Ireland
A little over five hundred people live in this small village. 800 years ago, a Norman knight built a castle in these places, and the village grew around it. This castle is still one of the main attractions of Carlingford.
Krupe, Belgium
The village of Krupe is located in the Walloon Valley. Like many centuries ago, it is surrounded by a moat with water, and not far away rises impregnable castle and several picturesque grottoes. Tourists are not allowed into the castle - it is privately owned, but no one bothers you to admire it from afar. And the landscapes there are truly worth looking at.
Mittenwald, Germany
Switzerland looks like one big artistic postcard. Within its borders you will find magnificent rugged landscapes, mountains, forests and small picturesque villages in the valleys. It's a haven for hikers in summer and skiers in winter, but the best places for the Swiss are the small, cozy towns that are the gateway to the Alpine resorts. Spend some time in these charming Swiss villages before heading to your ski destinations.
Gimmelwald
When heading to Gimmelwald, located deep in the Bernese Alps, forget about your car. There are no roads leading to the village, and you can only get here on foot or by cable car. Gimmelwald is a tranquil agricultural community surrounded by fields and majestic mountains. The village is so tiny that there is not even a school here, and students go to Lauterbrunnen to study. Gimmelwald houses are famous for their stone roofs to protect them from the strong winter winds from the Jungfrau mountain.
Andermatt
The village of Andermatt is located in a valley where 8 Alpine mountain passes converge. This is one of the most picturesque Swiss villages, reminiscent of a pearl. Centrally located mountain range Gotthard village is as picturesque as it gets in Switzerland. You can explore it using steam railway, or on a horse-drawn postal bus. But the best way is a walking tour, since everything here is within easy reach. Andermatt is best known for its winter sports. In winter, thousands of skiers come here, riding the ski lifts to the peaks of Gemsstock and Netschen.
Sion
With a population of 34,000 people, Sion is not a small town. At the same time, it is distinguished by the unique charm of Switzerland and the Valois region. Sion is the gateway to many of the canton's small villages, introducing tourists to popular Swiss attractions. The city is famous for its sun, mountain peaks and locks. The two most famous of them are the castle of Valeria and Tourbillon, located in the mountains overlooking the most ancient cities of Switzerland.
Spitz
Situated on the shores of Lake Thun, the town of Spiez is surrounded by vineyards and forests. Spiez, with twelve thousand inhabitants, is best known for its medieval castles and a Romanesque church built over 1000 years ago. Except for the high stone tower, the castle could be mistaken for a huge white Chalet, which today houses a museum. Many people combine a visit to the castle with a cruise on Lake Thun. After a tiring journey on foot, you can end your day with a glass of local wine in one of the restaurants, or sit with a fishing rod on the shore of the lake.
Soglio
Soglio is another small Swiss village with stunning scenery. In summer, millions of wildflowers bloom on the hills while the horizon is filled with snow-capped mountains. Overlooking this beautiful landscape, Soglio's main attraction is the Church of San Lorenzo and its bell tower, which dominates the entire village. Winding, narrow cobbled streets lead to Palazzo Soglio, which today houses a hotel with a Mediterranean atmosphere and giant sequoia trees. This village allows you to enjoy solitude and tranquility, especially if you travel along the Bergel route through the chestnut forest.
Morcote
Morcote, like other small towns in Switzerland, is absolutely picturesque. But this tiny town of 770 residents goes one step further. It is located on the shores of Lake Lugano and was named the most beautiful city in Switzerland in 2016. The village is famous for its architecture with a gallery from the Middle Ages. You will also find here buildings from the 16th century and the church of Santa Maria del Sasso from the 13th century. Also worth a visit is the Botanical Park and the Art Garden with its plants and paintings.
Interlaken
Interlaken - more than just a gateway mountain village in the Bernese Alps, but also interesting place by itself. It has been a tourist destination since the early 1800s, when landscape artists (including Franz König) found inspiration for their paintings here. Today, visitors come here for spa treatments and fresh mountain air. Interlaken is famous for its music festivals. And since the city lies on the shores of lakes Thun and Brienz, you'll want to take a relaxing paddle steamer cruise on one of them.
Wengen
Wengen in central Switzerland has just 1,300 permanent residents, but you won't find crowds on holiday here. In summer its population swells to at least 5,000 people who come here for hundreds of kilometers walking routes. And in winter the population even grows to 10,000 lovers winter species sports Wengen is a popular venue for ski competitions. This resort has a number of historical structures dating back to the Belle Epoque. When traveling to the city by train, you will probably notice climbers trying to conquer the northern side of the Eiger Mountain.
Stein am Rhein
Many visitors come to Stein am Rhein for the scenery, as it lies on Lake Constance, but it's actually also worth considering the village's unique architecture. The wooden brick buildings in its well-preserved old center have decorative colorful facades. The city was once a Roman fortress, but today is filled with remarkable buildings that came much later. There is the early church of St John the Baptist, the monastery of St George and a museum showcasing life in the town in the 19th century.
Murren
If you're a James Bond fan, you're probably very familiar with the funicular and revolving restaurant at the top of the Schilthorn. They appeared in one of the parts of the legendary film, which was filmed in Mürren. If you loved Heidi's stories as a child, this traditional Alpine village will remind you of her home. Wherever you go in Mürren, you will be surrounded by magnificent views of the mighty Eigir and Jungfrau mountains, as well as flower-covered meadows.
Grindelwald
Grindelwald and Gilbert Grindelwald may have the same name, but that's where the similarities end. Gilbert Grindelwald is an evil character in the Harry Potter film series, while Grindelwald is a picturesque town in the Bernese Alps. The scenery here is truly fantastic, including stunning views of the Eiger mountain. It is also home to the largest ski resort in the Jungfrau region. The town has been the area's main tourist destination since the 18th century and there are many good walking routes to explore, including the Eiger Trail.
Guarda
Guarda is another small Swiss city that is famous for its historic 18th century architecture with colorful facades. The town is also called Shellenursley after a fairy tale character from a children's book. There is even a hiking trail with the same name, which is perfect for families with children. If you visit the city in winter, you can get acquainted with the local tradition where residents ring small bells to drive away the cold. You can install a special application on your smartphone that will guide you along all the sights of the city and tell you about its history.
Lauterbrunnen
This picturesque valley is home to 72 waterfalls that cascade down the mountainside. The most famous of them is the Staubbach Falls, which falls from a height of 300m, making it one of the highest waterfalls in Europe. The town itself is the starting point for excursions into the Jungfrau region, including tours of the Mürren Valley. This tiny picturesque village among the mountains provided inspiration to many writers, including Goethe. Be sure to go for a walk along one of the walking routes, and if you want extreme sports, you can enjoy skydiving or paragliding.
Zermatt
Zermatt is one of the most famous ski resorts Switzerland, also popular among climbers. This is easily explained, since the city is located at the foot of one of the highest peaks in the country - the Matterhorn peak. This is where you will find glitz and glamour, as well as plenty of street activities and entertainment. Despite the location near the Italian border, local residents speak predominantly German. You can board the cable car for the most stunning views of the Matterhorn.
The Swiss Alps are popular for many reasons, but have you ever considered them as a destination for an information detox?
High in the mountains there are old villages, life in which develops at its own pace (there are no cars on the roads) and is more reminiscent of community life.
To get here, you will need to ride several cable cars and walk quite a bit. When you finally get there, forget about the daily hustle and bustle and enjoy the special atmosphere, far from stress.
If you've already prepared your suitcase, we've put together a selection of 6 best places, where you should go for the most proper winter.
Braunwald is a real Swiss secret: it is located in the district of Glarus in eastern Switzerland and has only 400 inhabitants.
In winter, the trails start literally at your doorstep. In summer, all routes turn into trails for hiking and trekking - you can walk to Schwyz or Uri and return by bus.
The village has its own bakery, cafe, grocery store, ATM and several restaurants (at hotels).
One of the best places to stay is, however, there are a lot of equally worthy options nearby.
The easiest way to get there is from Zurich (it is only 2 hours away), and then you will need to take one of the longest funiculars and ride at an angle of almost 45 degrees to your destination.
The trip will definitely be magical - from the very beginning to the end.
Just above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the one that inspired Tolkien, lies the village of Mürren, which offers amazing views of 3 of the world's most famous mountains: the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Of course, it will be nice here in the summer, but if you come in winter, you will understand what inspired the British to invent skiing here.
The village has a supermarket, bakery, butcher and several cafes and hotels. The best of the cafés is the Stägerstübli, with its tables outside where you can find out all the latest news and gossip over your morning coffee.
You can get to Mürren both by car and by train.
This mountain village is the easiest to reach: there are regular trains from the city of Weggis, which is located near Lake Lucerne. Once you arrive, escape the crowds and head into the mountains for stunning views of central Switzerland.
If you want to stay here for the night, then stay at the hotel, which is famous for its mineral baths and spa treatments.
Inside a huge old bowl-shaped rock is the ski village of Saas-Fee. It has lost some of its charm due to the constant flow of visitors, but the nature remains just as impressive: the trails here are ideal for trekking and offer magnificent views. If you are passionate about spas, then be sure to check out Ferienart.
It’s also worth going to the highest restaurant in the world – threes!xty – Drehrestaurant & CofFee. Not only does the food there taste great and there are magnificent panoramas from there, but it also rotates.
Wengen is separated from Mürren by the Lauterbrunnen Valley, but this village arguably offers some of the best long skiing you can imagine.
Wengen is a little better developed than other villages, as it is located on the train route that takes tourists from Lauterbrunnen to Klein Scheidegg.
In summer, thousands of people come here (per day) to climb the peaks. And there is much more entertainment here than anywhere else. And if you're looking for the kind of Switzerland you've seen in pictures before, then you're in the right place: there are great walking routes and picturesque mountains.
From here you can also walk to Grindelwald.
Zermatt has long been one of the most popular destinations in Switzerland, and this is not surprising: there are cozy streets, stunning views of the Matterhorn, and excellent skiing trails. At the same time, the village has managed to maintain its charm and charm, which is enhanced by fashionable shops and restaurants.
One of the best places to stay is this hotel, built in the best traditions of the Alps, with beautiful views of the valley.
Be sure to follow the Riffelsee route and to Gornergrat, you can go up there by cable car and walk back down.