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Historic center · Zermatt, Valais
Hinterdorf
The old core of Zermatt, with more than 30 barns, storehouses and larch wood houses darkened with age, dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, built on stilts with stone discs to keep out rodents.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Hinterdorf
The Hinterdorf is the old part of Zermatt, along Hinterdorfstrasse, a few steps from Bahnhofstrasse. There are more than 30 buildings in the Upper Valais style: stables, barns, storage houses and houses from the 16th to the 18th centuries, in narrow alleys.
The barns, called Stadel, stored hay and have a single door. The storage houses, called Speicher, kept foods like dried meat and usually have four doors, one for each family. They stand on wooden pillars with stone disks on top that prevented rats from getting in.
The buildings are made of larch, a resinous wood that resists pests, and the roofs have heavy stone slabs that compress the wood and increase its lifespan. Over the years the sun has darkened the wood to almost black.
The Hinterdorf is a residential area with small shops. Zermatt Tourismus organizes guided walks through the village in German, English and French.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
30 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, with low light on the dark wood and less activity on Bahnhofstrasse.
How to get there
Hinterdorfstrasse runs off Bahnhofstrasse, about a 5-minute walk from the station, near Kirchplatz.
Tip
Respect the residents: many buildings are homes and storage houses in use. To see the interior of old houses, visit the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis nearby.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Hinterdorf
What is the Hinterdorf?
The old part of Zermatt, with barns, storehouses and wooden houses from the 16th to 18th centuries.
Why are the barns on pillars with stones?
The stone discs at the top of the pillars prevented rats from climbing up to the hay and stored food.
Is there a guided tour of the Hinterdorf?
Yes, Zermatt Tourismus organises guided walks through the village in German, English and French.