Useful information: This is the meaning of the names of Swiss mountains

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Matterhorn – the view says it all

Matterhorn is the symbol of Switzerland; especially since the striking peak of the mountain, 4,478 meters high, can be found anywhere in the world in Toblerone. The tourist attraction between Zermatt VS and Breuil-Cervinia (I) has several names: the peak is called Monte Cervino in Italian or Mont Cervin in French. But its origin comes from the Valais, with the rustic Hore or Horu derived from Horn. The appearance was the inspiration for the name.

Of course, the “mat” dates back to alpine meadows at the foot of the mountain, originally used for livestock. The name “Zur Matte” gave rise not only to the name Zermatt, but also to “Mattertal” and the name “Matterhorn” derived from it.

Pilate – Biblical roots

Every year in the canton of Lucerne, thousands of Asian tourists take photographs and travel from one hotspot to another. One of them is Pilatus, which is 2128.5 meters high. Already in the early periods of Christianity, the legend arose that Pontius Pilate, the governor who crucified Jesus Christ, was buried in the mountain range. The Christ murderer’s corpse would cause terrible storms, so it could do little damage to the mountain.

Lucerne’s native mountains are bounded by Nidwalden and Obwalden and consist of separate peaks. The mountain range includes peaks such as Risetestock, Stäfeliflue and Mittaggüpfi. The most famous and second highest rock formation after Tomlishorn is Donkey. Its name has not been disclosed to date, but its appearance shows that it is a stubborn animal. Due to the fragmentation of the massif, Pilate was called “mons fractus” (broken mountain). He was first recorded on paper in 1475 as Pilate.

Monk – saint or not?

They belong together like bad luck and sulfur: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The easiest 4,000 meter peak to climb in Switzerland is Mönch. With a height of 4,107 meters, it is the second highest mountain in the Bern triumvirate. Until the 19th century, the hermit was overshadowed by its neighbor as the “Little Eiger” or “Eigers Schneeberg”.

Its current name is probably based on the geldings called “Münche” grazing in a pasture at the foot of the monk. Once the monk came to live up to its name and height (it had to be measured several times), it gained importance as a staid neighbor of the Jungfrau, thanks to increased tourism since the 19th century.

Virgin – nuns as namesake

With its proud head of 4,158 metres, Jungfrau protects its two younger siblings, Eiger and Mönch. But due to constant snow and ice, it was untouchable for many residents. To this day, the Virgin Mary presents herself proudly and in all her flowers. The third highest mountain in the Bernese Alps on the border with Valais, it probably takes its name from the nuns of the Interlaken Convent who were alpine running at the foot of the mountain.

Dufourspitze – in honor of a general

The highest peak in Switzerland and the German-speaking region, located in the Valais Alps and bordering Italy; Dufourspitze has an impressive length of 4,634 metres. The Walsers originally called the peak “Gornerhorn” (strong or great mountain), and the Italians called it “Cima Alta” (high peak or high peak). Its current name comes from Guillaume Henri Dufour of Geneva. He made his name in the 19th century as the first Swiss general, co-founder of the Red Cross, politician and cartographer. He created the first detailed topographic map of Switzerland, called the Dufour map. In Dufour’s honour, Gornerhorn was officially renamed Dufourspitze in 1863.

Säntis – Saturday mountain

The people of Eastern Switzerland are proud of their highest mountains. With its length of 2501.9 meters, Säntis attracts tourists from all over the world to the Alpstein Mountains like a magnet. Wildkirchli with its caves and the Aescher mountain inn on the steep rock face are particularly popular excursion destinations.

The name Säntis is derived from the Roman name “Sambatinus” (born on Saturday), which later evolved into today’s Säntis as “Semptis” or “Sämptis”. This name was most likely transferred to the mountain in reference to an alpine owner. There are various legends surrounding its history. The most famous of these is the giant Säntis, who is said to carry a sack full of farmhouses. Houses tumbled through a hole; This is how the typical scattered settlements of the Appenzellerland arose.

Stanserhorn – the mountain above the quiet lake

During a detour through central Switzerland, travelers see the 1,898-meter-high Stanserhorn in the Uri Alps. The local mountain of the municipality of Stans NW can be reached by funicular (1893) and the world’s first double-deck cable car “CabriO” (2012), offering a spectacular 360-degree view of the Alpine chain, Swiss lakes and valleys.

The name Stanserhorn means the mountain peak above the town of Stans. The name dates back to the Romans, the first inhabitants of the valley floor. They called this spot “Stagnum” meaning a pond; probably the nearby Alpnachersee.

Source : Blick