| Photo Information |
Copyright: Ingrid Shaul (ingridshaul)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 42 W: 7 N: 112]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (301) |
| Genre: Landscapes |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2004-06-08 |
| Categories: Mountain |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-10-02 5:34 |
| Viewed: 239 |
| Points: 2 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
On 7 June 2004 we travelled from Zermatt by electric Cogwheel train to the Gornergrat and stayed four nights in the Kulm Hotel at 3135 m.
For a long time, the alpine area was not a place to go for the majority of people. It was considered as hostile to humans, and proper equipment, which would have been necessary to explore and to survive the alpine environment, was not yet available. Generally, the 1787 ascent of Mont Blanc by Horace Bénédict de Saussure is considered as the beginning of the touristic and scientific exploration of the Alps. The volume of his meteorological, physical and geological observations made de Saussure a pioneer of alpine research with tremendous impact. Working and living conditions were harsh.
The extensive and successful scientific activity at Gornergrat is a direct consequence of the easy access offered by the Gornergrat Bahn.
On August 20, 1898, after two years of construction, the railway to Gornergrat went into operation. It was the first electric cogwheel railway in Switzerland. Thanks to a spirit of innovation and pioneering, a unique tourist attraction was established. The mysterious world of the Alps was made accessible to all.
As early as 1896, Joseph Perren and Joseph Biner built at Gornergrat the earlier Hotel Belvédère, which they handed over to the community of Zermatt ready to use for the price of 23 000 francs. Two years later, when the cog railway reached the Gornergrat for the first time, tourist traffic increased rapidly. The community of Zermatt quickly realized the significance of Gornergrat as a tourist destination, and built the Hotel Kulm Gornergrat over a period of ten years, from 1897 to 1907. Construction costs at that time were about half a million Swiss francs.
Due to high altitude of 3135m asl, the clean, dry air, and the favorable meteorological conditions, Gornergrat is an ideal site for astronomical observations.
The astronomical observatories at Gornergrat were installed in the late 1960's in the two towers of the Kulm Hotel Gornergrat.
From the moment of our departure from Zermatt we were able to observe and photograph THE MATTERHORN. I dare stating, that it is one of the most photographed mountain in the world, and you will find it in every Calendar about mountains.
This photo was taken at approx. 5 a.m. from our Bedroom Window. The building at the bottom is the Railway Station Gornergrat. |
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