Grächen

Bern

Bern ( Valais German: Greechu ) is a municipality in the district of Visp in the canton of Valais and situated in the Matter.

Geography

Bern is located in 1'619 m above sea level. M. on a terrace above the neighboring village of St. Niklaus. Facing south towards Bern adjacent to the hamlet of Ried gas. Bern is considered the driest place in Switzerland.

History

The first mentioned was the place in 1210 as " de Grachan " and 1250 as " de Granges ". 1433 was a chapel in honor of St. James built, which was expanded in 1704 to a church. 1750 Bern completely solved by the parish Stalden. In 1935, the present church was built.

For irrigation the water of the Ried glacier is formerly headed by four irrigation channels or carts to the fields to the fields for centuries. The oldest water pipe Grächen means Bineri, the longest is called Eggeri. She runs the glacier water to the Bärgji entertaining Hannig. The other two water pipes hot Drieri (non-operating ) and Chilcheri. The water pipes are still used in agriculture. For this reason they carry water only during working days. Until a few decades ago in Bern cereals, especially rye, grown. All water pipes run along scenic trails.

Government

The executive branch is represented by the Municipal Council, which consists of five members.

Economy

Traffic

Since 1953 Bern is connected by a road with St. Niklaus. Bern is not completely car-free, in contrast to Zermatt and Saas -Fee. Niedergrächen and a northern part of the village can be reached by car. However, the majority of Bern, including the village center are car-free and can only be driven by electric cars. A large car park is available. With public transport Bern is well developed. From Brig, respectively. Visp drives the Matterhorn -Gotthard -Bahn to St Niklaus. The Postbus brings the traveler to the change until after Bern.

Bern is a favorite with families place for summer and winter holidays. 2003 were registered in hotels, chalets and apartments, about 400,000 overnight stays (60 % in winter, 40 % in summer).

Summer tourism

Easy, mostly flat trails lead along the irrigation channels " Chilcheri " and " Eggeri ". Starting point for hikes over the Alps and mountain forests is the cable car station Hannigalp 2114 m. Bern is the starting point of the trail Balfrin to Saas -Fee (approx. 7 hours) and target of the Europe route from Zermatt. The walk takes 12 hours. Therefore, many hikers stay halfway in the Europa mountain hut. Both mountain hikes are since 2008 as a regional route 27 " Swiss Tour Monte Rosa, Zermatt - Saas-Fee" Hiking in Switzerland signaled. On the three- day tour Bern serves as a overnight stop.

Also available to families is the Bordierhütte the SAC.

Winter tourism

In winter, downhill skiing is mainly operated in Bern. The Grächer skiing area stretches from Bern to 1619 m up to the Seetalhorn to 2864m. With a total of 10 lifts (1 gondola, 3 chairlifts, 6 drag lifts ) from 40 km of snow slopes are passable.

Is also worth mentioning that in winter, comparatively many tourists from the Netherlands and Belgium the way to Bern, as the whole Valais, see. The reason is that the canton of Valais runs strong tourism advertising in these countries.

The ski area in Bern is especially popular with families. In winter 2011/2012 the new and unique in Europe fairytale gondola was inaugurated. In ten of the total 55 gondolas tells the actress Silvia Jost the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Even from the outside it can be seen that fairy tales can be heard while driving. In addition to the Swiss and Valais ski schools are also lifts and hanging are available which make the learning of snowboarding or skiing enjoyable. In SiSu family park magic carpets, rope tows for the first on skis are available. Next here is also a large playground, a cinema igloo and snow Tubebahn are integrated.

The creche in the ski resort is free for ski pass owners. Parents can here give your kids for two hours in the care of caregivers and explore the ski area.

Hannig is from the winter 2013/14, a Wi-Fi zone, which is available for all skiers and visitors free of charge.

The Swisscom Skimovie can be used by ski pass owners. As with the big ski race the downhill is filmed in a starting gate from the start until the driver arrives at the destination. The exact separation time is measured. After the ride, the video can be downloaded directly from the web and are shared on social media channels.

Personalities

• Thomas Platter the Elder (1499-1582), humanist scholar and writer of autobiographical
• Adolf Fux (1901-1973), journalist, writer and politician, Grand Council (1933-1937, 1949-1961)
• Schnydrig Ernst (1912-1978), religious priests, journalist and writer