Media Information

 

For further information, contact:

Sue Lowry / Melanie Childs

Magellan Public Relations

Tel:  020 8875 2850; Fax:  020 8875 2851

Email:  [email protected]

Website:  www.magellan-pr.com

 

 The Witnesses of Times Past

 

March 2002 - The fabulous Saanenland is a place alive with history.  Its traditions are more than a facade, its arts and folklore are present in everyday life.  

It is said that when the Almighty reached forth to create Saanenland, He rested His hand against the ground. The imprint of his palm marked the sites of the villages of Saanen and Gstaad. The curve of His little finger brought forth Kalberhöni, the ring-finger carved the valley of Gsteig, the middle finger framed Lauenen, the forefinger Turbachtal. The thumb, it is said, polished the smooth floor of Schönried and Saanenmöser. So says an ancient legend. 

The first inhabitants of the region were the Ligurnians, the Gauls, and the Burgundians. The tribes of the Allemans started moving in during the eighth century AD, their language soon to become common in the region. Seeking to purchase their freedom from their feudal masters, the parishes of Saanen, Gsteig, and Lauenen united in 1312.  In 1448, Count Franz von Greyerz offered his subjects the purchase of water-rights and other privileges for the estimated modern sum of about 10 million Sfr. From this moment onwards, the people of Saanen became a partially independent community with rights of free trade. 

In 1555, the last Count of Greyerz became bankrupt and the people of Saanen came under the control of the Bernese.  Incensed by their wilful new subjects, the new masters of the region struck back, ruthlessly enforcing their feudal rights. The people of Saanen resisted bitterly, but could not prevent either the advent of religious reformation from Berne, nor the extinction of their political community in 1604. 

Gems of History in Gsteig and Lauenen

The late medieval Joderkirche in Gsteig (1453) and the late gothic St. Peterskirche in Launen (1524) were built in this period. The inner walls of the Joderkirche are decorated by remarkably graceful gothic inscriptions of a variety of biblical proverbs, and the inlaid beauty of the pulpit was created in 1636. The church, listed together with its village among the protected landmarks of Switzerland, possesses astounding acoustics making it a favourite venue for classical and ecclesiastical music.  The church of Launen was built in late gothic times, between 1518 and 1524. Until the reformation this church followed the catholic rites, and the signs of Catholicism are still plainly visible. Of particular interest are the wooden ceiling, delicately carved in the gothic manner, the imagery above the north-east wall with its triple rabbit figures, and the gothic vaulting above the choir. A traveller may also wish to admire the chapel of St. Nicholas in the vehicle-free centre of Gstaad and the iconography of the church of St. Mauritius in Saanen. All churches are open to visitors. 

The Flourishing Commerce of the Alps

For many centuries, agriculture was the only industry of note in the Saanenland. The cowherds of the area were well known as far back as the 15^th century. Some of the herds remain today, with 7000 cows pacing the meadows and 90 cheesemongers producing the rare and delicate Saanen Hobelkäse. Many experts disdain modern methods and still produce their cheese following the old ways, before an open fire. During the summer months, those interested may watch the cheese-masters at work and learn of their art. The 17^th and 18^th centuries saw the advent of a new architectural style placing particular importance on the aesthetics. Carved and painted decorations are still much beloved of the building-masters of Saanenland.  

Well-preserved historical buildings may still be seen in Saali, Saanen, Feutersoey, and Innergsteig. Another landmark of the region are the large chalets. Seeking to continue the tradition into the 20^th century, the local laws decree that any new housing mustconform to the old chalet style.

The old crafts also survive. The alpenhorn-builder of Gstaad, the scissors- maker of Turbach and the weaver- and potter-women of Saanen are witnesses and carriers of their crafts. 

400 Years of Tourism

The first inn in Saanenland was opened centuries ago – 1577, in Saanen itself.  Among the first tourists were those seeking the restoration of their health in the mountains. The ice was truly broken by the English, who discovered Switzerland as a country of tourism and popularised the sport of skiing. At present, 90 percent of the population is directly or indirectly employed in the tourism industry. 69 mountain railways, 250 kilometres of ski slopes, 2300 beds in 41 hotels, 10,000 beds in over 3000 chalets and holiday apartments, 25 mountain restaurants, various bars and restaurants, galleries, shops, concerts, sports tournaments – against this background, both time and space seem even more real. The peculiar beauty of the mountain life here is anything but a facade. 

Contact point in Gstaad: 

Eduardo Zywssig

Manager Marketing & PR Gstaad Saanenland Tourismus

Promenade, CH-3780 Gstaad

Tel:  0041 33-748 81 81

Fax: 0041 33 748 81 83

E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.gstaad.ch