Source: Andermatt Urserntal Tourism
On the border with Italy, a country comes to life in which it constantly seems like a fairy tale. The place in question is Switzerland, a place where villages are located that are more beautiful than the others and often surrounded by uncontaminated nature. Among these, however, there is one that has just been designated "Best Swiss Villages" by the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland.
Trip to Hospental, a fairytale village
The village in question is called Hospental and it is the first town in the Canton of Uri and the third in central Switzerland (after Luthern in the Canton of Lucerne and Gersau in the Canton of Schwyz) to receive the label and become part of the network of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland.
It stands out as an enchanting mountain village where history, culture, beauty and sustainability are the order of the day and, above all, embrace all seasons. Located at 1495 meters above sea level in the middle of Ursern Valley, Hospental it is an excellent starting point for mountain passes in summer and for cross-country skiing in winter.
The municipality to which it belongs is made up of the village of the same name and the former Walser settlement of Zumdorf. Its name, however, derives from the Latin "hospitale", inn. Thomas Christians, Director of Andermatt – Urserntal Tourism, following this recognition declared: “The municipality of Hospental with the Mayor Rolf Tresch and its inhabitants are proud to have been included in the circle of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland. The care and maintenance of the image of the Alpine village is important for everyone and is actively practiced by the community. For the Andermatt destination and for the people of the Urana Valley, the new Label is gratifying!”
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Kevin Quattropani, President of the association of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland, he announced that: “We are very pleased to welcome the first municipality of the Canton of Uri into the family of the most beautiful villages. Located at the center of the north-southwest-east tourist axis of the Alps, Hospental can be perfectly combined with the other member villages of the network of Breil in the Graubünden Surselva, Ernen in the Valais Goms, Gersau on Lake Four Cantons and Giornico in the Leventina ”.
What does this recognition mean for Hospental?
The association "The most beautiful villages in Switzerland" was founded in Lugano in 2015 and aims to enhance the small treasures of Switzerland and Liechtenstein at a national and international level. The association is part of the international federation "The most beautiful villages in the world", which brings together and represents France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Lebanon, Japan and Switzerland.
Nowadays, 47 villages in 17 cantons and 1 village in the Principality of Liechtenstein are part of the association of the country a stone's throw from Italy, including famous places such as Ascona, Bergün, Bremgarten, Gruyères and Saint-Ursanne. To be part of this "club" fewer than 10.000 people must live in the villages and, in addition to being particularly beautiful, they must also be located in an exceptional landscape.
Authenticity and the historical aspect also play a fundamental role, as does the community's desire to network. Since 2022, the association has been a partner of the "A love of place" program which brings together 50 locations of national importance (ISOS) and since 2023 of the "Swisstainable" program for sustainable tourism by Switzerland Tourism.
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Hospental: what to see
Without a shadow of a doubt, the center of the village dotted with houses that still date back to the times of prosperity and which manage to create a very harmonious image of the village itself. Characteristic of the landscape is the fortified tower, dating back to the 13th century and located in the hamlet of Zumdorf, which belongs to the municipality of Hospental. Called the Tower of the Lords, it is still well preserved.
They are also very interesting Baroque parish church erected in the 1706th century and rebuilt in 171-XNUMX; there Chapel and parish house of San Carlo, la Chapel of San Nicola in the locality Zumdorf attested since 1591 and rebuilt in 1719-1721 and theGotthard Hospice, founded in the 9th-10th centuries. In short, despite being Hospental the smallest village in all of Switzerland – with only 190 souls populating it – is a place that is still worth the trip.
Source: Andermatt Urserntal Tourism
What to do in the surroundings
As we told you previously, Hospental is a perfect starting point for discovering Switzerland's many splendid attractions. For example, you could go to the San Gottardo which is the king of the Alpine passes. It is no coincidence that this is the mountain that probably boasts the most myths of all but also with the greatest history regarding the country's communication routes.
The view is breathtaking and you can take the Tremola route, considered the oldest road in Switzerland, or the new road along which you come across a splendid terrace from which to admire the Leventina valley.
Whichever way you choose to cross the Gotthard pass, you will still dive into an adventure: bus, bicycle during the summer months, or on the legendary Gotthard stagecoaches, carriages pulled by five splendid horses. You can also visit theSan Gottardo Hospice also to rest in a refined climate and in perfect harmony with nature.
Other places you can reach in the surrounding area Hospental, especially in winter, are those where it is possible to dedicate yourself to cold season sports. In these parts, there are the Andermatt/Oberalp/Sedrun and Gemsstock – Andermatt ski areas. They are between 2,7 kilometers and 4 kilometers from the centre.
The 48 locations that are part of the network of the most beautiful villages in Switzerland
Beyond fairytale Hospental, another 48 fascinating locations are part of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland. In alphabetical order and in detail: Aarburg (AG), Albinen (VS), Ascona (TI), Avenches (VD), Bergün (GR), Bosco Gurin (TI), Breil (GR), Bremgarten (AG), Büren an der Aare (BE), Bursins (VD), Dardagny (GE), Diessenhofen (TG), Erlach (BE), Ernen (VS), Evolène (VS), Gersau (SZ), Giornico (TI) Grandson (VD), Grandvillard (FR), Grimentz (VS), Grüningen (ZH), Gruyères (FR), Hospental (UR), La Neuveville (BE), Le Landeron (NE), Lichtensteig (SG), Luthern (LU), Madulain (GR ), Morcote (TI), Moudon (VD), Muggio (TI), Niedergesteln (VS), Porrentruy (JU), Poschiavo (GR), Romainmôtier (VD), Rougemont (VD), Saillon (VS), Saint Saphorin ( VD), Saint Ursanne (JU), Schwellbrunn (AR), Simplon Dorf (VS), Splügen (GR) Soglio (GR), Triesenberg (FL), Trogen (AR), Tschlin (GR), Valangin (NE), Yvorne (VD).
All that remains is to prepare to reach nearby and magical Switzerland to go and discover Hospental and its unmissable surroundings.
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