Grächen

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


languages = French
canton = Valais
iso-code-region = CH-VS
district = Visp
lat_d=46|lat_m=10|lat_NS=N|long_d=7|long_m=49|long_EW=E
postal_code = 3925
municipality_code = 6285
area = 14.29
elevation = 1619|elevation_description=
population = 1367|populationof = December 2002 | popofyear = 2002
website = www.gemeinde-graechen.ch
mayor = |mayor_asof=|mayor_party=
mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
places =
demonym =
neighboring_municipalities= Eisten, Embd, Sankt Niklaus, Stalden, Törbel
twintowns = |

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).

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 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Celts] ). 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.

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.

External links

*http://www.matterhornvalley.ch/e/ -- Tourist information.
*http://www.gemeinde-graechen.ch -- The website of the municipality de icon.