Page 108 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

A roadside rest stop amid
the hills around Saas-Fee
in springtime

36
EXPERIENCE Mittelland, Bernese Oberland and Valais
Simplon Pass
! D5 n Simplon Dorf;
www.simplon.ch
The Simplon Pass, at 2,005 m
(6,580 ft), is one of the most
important routes between
western and southern Europe.
Connecting Switzerland and
n skiing is possible on the Italy, it also marks the border
between the Pennine and
Feegletscher (Fairy Glacier)
Saas-Fee in the Mischabel massif; it Lepontine Alps. The route has
is the highest massif to lie been in use since the Stone
! D5 @ n Obere
Dorfstrasse 2; www. entirely in Switzerland. Age, and so has played an
saas-fee.ch In summer, there is a range essential role in trade since
of hiking trails, from easy the Middle Ages.
A village dating back to the strolls to demanding treks, The strategic importance
13th century, Saas-Fee, in the that lead into the surroun ding of the pass was recognized by
Pennine Alps, has been a resort peaks or to other sites, such as Napoleon, on whose orders a
since the early 19th century. It Mattmarksee, an artificial lake. new road was built here in
is the main town in the Saas A cable car also runs up to the 1800–06. This road is about
Valley, through which flows rocky out crop of Felskinn 64 km (40 miles) long and runs
the River Saaser Vispa. It has (3,000 m/9,800 ft). From here, from Brig, over the pass and
a magnificent setting at the the Alpine Metro makes the through the village of Simplon,
foot of the Dom (4,545 m/ jour ney up to Mittelallalin, down to the Italian town of
14,911 ft) and is sur roun ded where you can savour the Domodossola. Napoleon’s
by other tall peaks. panorama from Allalin (041 27 road is passable virtually all
The car-free resort has many 957 17 71), the highest revolving year round. A railway tunnel
traditional wooden chalets, restau rant in the world at a under the pass was built in
which are built on high walls. height of 3,500 m (11,480 ft). 1906, as an alternative crossing.
Saas-Fee, more than many
resorts in the area, cherishes
its traditional rural culture,
and several local tradi tions are
enacted for visitors. These
include proces sions marking
Corpus Christi, cow fights and
yodelling contests, folk festi-
vals cele brating Swiss National
Day, and the late-spring festival
Alpaufzug, which marks the
time when cows are taken
up to their summer pastures.
The Saaser Museum, with a
recon struction of a typical
local house, and a large col-
lection of beautifully preser-
ved crafts and costumes, is
devoted to regional folk tradi-
tions and culture.
All around the village, in The imposing Stockalper
winter or in summer, are vistas Palace in Brig, and its
of mam moth glaciers and attractive arcaded
steep crevasses. Year-round courtyard (inset)
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