Saastal

The Saas Valley, the Valley of Saas Vispa, is a tributary in the Upper Valais ( German speaking eastern part of the canton of Valais), Switzerland.

From the Rhone Valley Coming leads first to Saas -Balen, then to Saas-Grund. From Saas-Grund is reached further south the valley following the Saas Gell and later the dam Matt marrow or branching off to the right, the good 200 meter higher Saas -Fee. Saas-Grund was clear in earlier times as the capital, it has changed through the tourist development of the past 60 years, however. Saas Fee Saas Grund has overtaken both in the population as well as in the economic importance of the valley. Currently political efforts run the once common community that later aufsplitteten in the communities Balen, reason Almagell and Fee, to reunite.

The Saas Valley is the eastern branch of the Vispertals in which it is (also Nikolaital ) united with the westerly Matter at Stalden. Together pull through these valleys, which rise located to the Matterhorn and the south of the covered by them Mischabelkette Monte Rosa ( second highest mountain in the Alps), the second largest concentration of the peaks in the Alps to the Mont Blanc massif.

The Saas Valley is primarily known for the ski resorts of Saas -Fee and Saas -Grund, the proximity to the Matter with Zermatt and access to the alpinistically attractive areas of the Mischabelkette with the highest cross- distant peaks of Switzerland, the Dom.

In 1851, wrote Canon Peter Joseph supporters groups " The Chronicle of the valley of Saas ", which today is considered the standard work on the Saas Valley. As a basis the records of Dean Peter Joseph Zurbriggen (Family Statistics Saas No. 553 ) ministered to him. Notary Alois Zurbriggen and pastor Imseng supplemented this chronicle with scientific side dishes. The manuscript has been preserved until today.

Until 1893 the Saas valley formed by the municipalities of Alma Gell, Balen, Fairy and reason a single parish. The Talkirche was in Saas -Grund. The residents of the three communities Almagell, Balen and Fairy thus had to go to Saas-Grund, etc. for all ecclesiastical matters, such as baptism, confirmation, marriage. Even the funerals were held there.

To the south and south-east borders the Saas Valley in Italy (Valle Anzasca with the main town Macugnaga ). Some passports in the Saas Valley formerly served as a smuggler routes ( Monte Moro, Ofental and Antona - pass). After the opening of the Simplon Pass the poorly accessible and high passes lost their significance in the Saas Valley.

Mountains surrounding the valley

The Allalinhorn, an easy-to four-thousand ersteigender

Landscape in the rear Saas Valley with Stellihorn

Valley communities

Saas -Fee

Saas -Fee is the largest community of four sub- locations in the Saas Valley. It counts 1710 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) and is at about 1,800 m above sea level. M. located. The municipality has the largest ski area in the four communities. Saas -Fee is car-free.

Saas-Grund

Saas-Grund has 1094 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) and is the most central town district of the Saas Valley. In Saas-Grund, the auto road to Saas -Fee and Saas -Almagell shares. The place has a sunny ski and hiking area ( Hohsaas, cross bottom ) and is - like the rest of the Saas Valley - geared to tourism.

Saas -Almagell

Saas -Almagell, about 1,650 m above sea level. M., is the southernmost of the four sub- communities in the Saas Valley and has 383 inhabitants (as at 31 December 2012). Immediately following the Saas Gell, the Matt Mark Dam, the highest in Europe is Erdstaudamm ( 2,197 m). For winter sports enthusiasts, there is a ski resort in winter and ski trails for hikers throughout the year is a great way network of hiking trails.

Saas -Balen

Saas -Balen is the northernmost and smallest of the Saas- communities. It counts 399 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) and is especially known for its round church and the Fellbach. There is in place only a ski lift, which is why winter tourists often resort to the neighboring towns.