15. Zermatt remembers its mountain climbers and guides with monuments and memorial sites as well as the Mountain Climber Cemetery. Many visitors enjoy looking and taking pictures of the unique monuments and fountains while walking around Zermatt. The Inderbinen fountain was made to celebrate the 100th birthday of the mountain guide Ulrich Inderbinen. The water is deliciously refreshing and the wooden bench alongside invites visitors to reflect on the life and achievements of this legendary Zermatt resident. Ulrich Inderbinen climbed the Matterhorn for the first time at the age of 21 and when he was 25 he was qualified as mountain guide, and accompanied visitors on climbs in the Zermatt mountains until the Second World War. In total he climbed the Matterhorn 371 times and on his 90th year, he staded on the summit of the Matterhorn for the final time. He continued working as a mountain guide until the age of 96. The marmot fountain with its bronze marmots is a very loved landmark at the heart of the resort and equally popular with locals and visitors. A whole family of marmots are placed over the rocks around the cascading water. The figures became more and more golden as people pass by to stop and touch them, showing that the animals are very popular. The fountain dates from 1906, and is also called the Prato Borni fountain after the old name for Zermatt. The beautiful ibex bronze is modeled on a real creature, a magnificent male that was killed by an avalanche. A plaster cast was made, which was then used to cast the bronze statue. The rock that forms the base of the fountain is from Zermatt region and forms a fine fountain trough. A brother of the ibex, a second bronze cast stands near opposite of the railway station. There are other memorials and monuments that you can find around Zermatt attracting many visitors to enjoy not only the view but also the history of the monuments.
16. Schwarzsee at 2583 meters is the starting point for ascents of the Matterhorn and the Matterhorn glacier Trail. The first cable car to Schwarzsee opened in 1956 and until then, visitors had to walk up. Today it is only 12 minute ride from Zermatt and this is also the starting point of the hike to the Hornli hut. Many visitors go to Schwarzsee not only to start an exciting hike but also to view the beautiful lake of Schwarzsee. It lies at the foot of the Matterhorn with black surface hence the name “black lake”. Beside the lake, which lies in a small hollow, stands a chapel dedicated to “Maria zum Schnee” or “Our Lady of the Snows”. According to legend, the chapel has its origins in a promise. Two people from Zermatt had lost their way in the fog near the Thodul Pass and they pledged that if they were saved, they would build a chapel. To this day, climbers who reach the summit of the Matterhorn visit the chapel afterwards to give thanks for a successful ascent. The Schwarzsee region is also home to numerous endemic pioneer plant species which makes the view very beautiful. Schwarzsee is also the starting point for few theme trails. The alpine landscape of boulders and scree is scattered with streams and lakes. These and other traces left by the retreating glaciers are the theme of the fascinating Matterhorn glacier Trail, which leads from Trockner Steg to Schwarzsee. The path also shows how the receding glaciers created habitats for plants and animals, and how local people have made use of the resulting landscape. The well-known Matterhorn Trail reveals many interesting facts about the iconic mountain and its history.
