Leukerbad

Infobox Swiss town
subject_name = Leukerbad
municipality_name = Leukerbad
municipality_type = municipality
imagepath_coa = |pixel_coa=


languages = French
canton = Valais
iso-code-region = CH-VS
district = Leuk
lat_d=46|lat_m=23|lat_NS=N|long_d=7|long_m=38|long_EW=E
postal_code = 3954
municipality_code = 6111
area = 67.2
elevation = 1402|elevation_description=
population = 1420|populationof = December 2002 | popofyear = 2002
website = www.leukerbad.org
mayor = |mayor_asof=|mayor_party=
mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
places =
demonym =
neighboring_municipalities= Adelboden (BE), Albinen, Ferden, Guttet-Feschel, Inden, Kandersteg (BE), Lenk im Simmental (BE), Mollens
twintowns = |

Leukerbad ( _fr. Loèche-les-Bains, Walliser German: "Leiggerbad") is a municipality in the district of Leuk in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.

Story

The story of Leukerbad dates back to the 4th century B.C. Graves and ceramics attest the presence of habitation in Leukerbad. From the 5th century, the pass of the Gemmi, unique link between the cantons of Valais and Bern can be got over.

In 1229, Leukerbad is mentioned for the first time and called "Boez". French is the locally spoken language at that time.

In 1315, the commune becomes independent and the oldest known document about Leukerbad already mentions the baths.

In 1501, the Bishop and Cardinal Matthäus Schiner acquires the rights for the baths and speaks highly of the health resort during his visits; the thermal tourism develops and from that time, German is spoken locally.

Between the 16th and 18th century, several major avalanches hit the village but the inhabitants rebuild it every time.

In 1779 a famous guest stays in Leukerbad: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Other famous guests will stay in Leukerbad, like Guy de Maupassant or Mark Twain.

In 1908, the Company “Chemin de Fer Electric Leukerbad” was founded but the road quickly dominate the access to the village and the trains stopped in 1967.

The cable-car to the top of Gemmi Pass is built in 1957 and the one to Torrent Alp in 1970-72.

In 1980, the community's thermal centre, The Burgerbad, is open.

The sport centre is open in 1990 and the thermal centre Alpentherme in 1993.

In 1998, Leukerbad offers for the first time a "fixed-rope climbing" (Via ferrata/Klettersteig) route of the Daubenhorn, which is currently the longest in Switzerland.

Geography

Leukerbad is situated in the canton of Valais in the south of Switzerland at 1411 metres above sea level. The location is very impressive because of the cliffs which surround Leukerbad:

To the east, the Daubenhorn at 2942 m. above sea level; to the north the Gemmi Pass (2322 m.) and the Balmhorn (3698 m.); to the west the Torrenthorn (2998).

The road which leads to Leukerbad comes into the secluded valley from the south and the town of Leuk in the Rhone valley.

Gemmi

The Gemmi Pass is famous in the history of the Valais because it had for a long time been a very busy route between Valais and Bern.

The Gemmi is accessible with the cable-car which connects Leukerbad to the highest point on the pass (2322 m.)

From the pass, there is a magnificent view of the Alps. The region is well-known in summer for its hiking trails to Kandersteg, Adelboden or the Wildstrubel. It is appreciated by the families too because of the small beautiful lake called "Daubensee" which is surrounded by easy walks and provides a beautiful place for picnics.

In winter, this same lake is ideal for the cross-country skiers but you can also go there for a snow-shoe trail, a run downhill with a sledge or just a walk on prepared, signposted hikes.

Torrent

The cable-car to Torrent Alp brings to the Rinderhütte at 2313 m. above sea level. In winter it is the paradise of skiers who then have 50 km of runs at their disposal.

In Summer it offers a huge network of hiking and mountain bike trails.

The panoramic views from the Rinderhütte of the 4'000 m. peaks of the Valais, French and Italian Alps is breath taking.

Thermal baths

The history of the springs of Leukerbad dates back to the Roman times. People, even then,were already aware of the therapeutic effect of the thermal water.

Today, 3.9 million litres of thermal water - up to 51°C - flow from the springs and feed 22 thermal pools. Several baths are at the disposal of the guests in private hotels, in the Rehabilitation centre and in the [http://www.volksheilbad.ch/ _en. James Baldwin] ] lived here for three months with his lover Lucien Happersberger in Winter 1951. [cite book|last=A. McBride|first=Dwight |title=James Baldwin Now|editor=NYU Press|pages=308|isbn=0814756182|url=http://books.google.ch/books?id=DLh6el7R6yoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%27%27James+Baldwin+Now%27%27,+McBride&sig=ACfU3U0blbxaBFOd3xLbF8Ilz2JzNqNe2Q]

References

External links

* [http://www.leukerbad.ch/en/welcome.cfm? Leukerbad Tourism]
* [http://www.leukerbad.org Official website] de icon
* [http://www.leukerbad.ch/pdf_doc/Geschichte_Leukerbad_EN.pdf More information to Leukerbad's history]