Matterhorn

Lore & Background

The Matterhorn was studied by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure in the late 18th century, followed by other naturalists and artists such as John Ruskin in the 19th century. It remained unclimbed after most other great Alpine peaks had been attained, becoming the subject of an international competition for the summit. The mountain has four faces, each roughly oriented toward one of the four cardinal points. Three of these (north, east, and west) are on the Swiss side, while the south face lies on the Italian side. The faces are separated by the Hörnli, Furggen, Zmutt, and Leone ridges. The Matterhorn overlooks the Swiss town of Zermatt to the northeast and the Italian town of Breuil-Cervinia to the south. Just east is Theodul Pass, a trade route since the Roman era. The Matterhorn is mainly composed of gneisses from the Dent Blanche nappe, lying over ophiolites and sedimentary rocks. Its current shape results from cirque erosion due to multiple glaciers diverging from the peak. Since the end of the 19th century, when railways were built in the area, the mountain has attracted increasing numbers of visitors and climbers.

Reader's Guide

The Matterhorn's significance lies in its iconic status as a symbol of Switzerland and the Alps, its role in the history of mountaineering, and its distinctive pyramidal shape. Over 500 alpinists have died on the Matterhorn, making it one of the deadliest peaks in the world. The most popular climbing route is the northeast Hörnli ridge, starting from the Hörnli Hut. The Matterhorn's recognisable shape has led to many similar mountains around the world being named or nicknamed 'the Matterhorn of' their respective regions.

Did You Know?

• The Matterhorn has two distinct summits at either end of a 100-metre-long exposed rocky crest forming the Italian/Swiss border.
• The name Matterhorn derives from the German words Matte ('meadow') and Horn ('horn'), often translated as 'the peak of the meadows'.