- Engelberg
Infobox Swiss town
subject_name = Engelberg
image_photo = Engelberg.jpg
image_caption = Engelberg Valley
municipality_name = Engelberg
municipality_type = municipality
imagepath_coa = Engelberg-coat of arms.svg|pixel_coa=
languages = German
canton = Obwalden
iso-code-region = CH-OW
district = n.a.
lat_d=46|lat_m=49|lat_NS=N|long_d=8|long_m=24|long_EW=E
postal_code = 6390
municipality_code = 1402
area = 40.75
elevation = 1015|elevation_description=
population = 4001|populationof = December 2007 | popofyear = 2007
website = www.gde-engelberg.ch
mayor = |mayor_asof=|mayor_party=
mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
places =
demonym =
neighboring_municipalities=Attinghausen (UR),Gadmen (BE),Innertkirchen (BE),Isenthal (UR),Wassen (UR),Wolfenschiessen (NW)
twintowns = |Engelberg is a municipality in the canton of
Obwalden inSwitzerland . It has a population of c. 4,000, of which 600 are of foreign nationality (2007 ). It is the leading mountain resort (Urner Alps) in central Switzerland. In the Middle Ages, Engelberg was known for the educational accomplishments of its Benedictine monastery, whose school was well-known and regarded throughout the country. From the 19th Century, Engelberg became internationally known as a resort and spa, but is today visited as much for skiing as for its clean air. With its combination of modern sports facilities and alpine location, Engelberg is a magnet for both summer and winter tourism. The closest large cities areLucerne andZurich .The ski terrain is largely for advanced skiers, and although there are some easy places to ski, beginners should be wary of some challenging pistes. It is a snow-sure ski resort, with an unusually long season, generally opening for skiing at the start of October and remaining open until the end of May.
It's also a major summer resort, with many activities available both at village level and on the mountain. The lift system operates throughout the year, allowing a wide range of walking and cycling trails to be available even to the more fitness-challenged visitor.
In recent years, Engelberg has become something of an off-piste mecca, with many winter visitors, particularly from Scandinavia, coming specifically for its many challenging descents. Many of these are accesssible from the lift-served ski areas of Titlis or Jochpass, on the predominantly North-facing slopes leading down from Mt Titlis.
On the opposite side of the valley, the ski area of Brunni is much more suitable for beginners and early intermediates, but being South-facing it doesn't have quite the same snow reliability and length of season.
Engelberg also hosts a round of the ski jumping world cup .
* Altitude Engelberg: 1020 metres
* Max altitudeTitlis : 3239 metresThere are 320 local businesses which employ 1700 people. 11% of these are in the agricultural sector, 14% in trade and industry, 75% in services.
The main sights of Engelberg are: Mount Titlis, Mount "Hahnen",
Engelberg Abbey , a Benedictine monastery in theSwiss Congregation , the museum of the valley, the hotel "Europäischer Hof", a number of old chapels.Cultural references
*Engelberg is mentioned in chapter XXIV of
Henry James 's 1875 novel "Roderick Hudson ".External links
* [http://www.engelberg.ch Engelberg Tourism]
* [http://www.pictures-switzerland.com/engelberg/ Free Pictures Engelberg]
* [http://www.titlis.ch Titlis Glacier]
* [http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/resorts/gssg/resort.asp?intContactID=44914 Great Skiing & Snowboarding Guide]
* [http://www.brunni.ch/ Brunni area]
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