Visit the Mountaineers' Cemetery

The Mountaineers' Cemetery, which is specifically devoted to climbers, is a depressing, but important reminder that tourists must use extreme caution when traversing these breathtaking mountains. The Matterhorn is one of the world's deadliest peaks, having claimed the lives of an estimated 500 alpinists since it was first ascended in 1865. Every year, over 3,000 people attempt to climb the top, and deaths are still common. Nowadays, this is usually due to avalanches and the abrupt changes in weather that the mountain is known for.

Many of those who died on the mountain is buried in the churchyard cemetery, including three of the four climbers who died in 1865. You may take your time reading the gravestones, which provide information on the climbers, such as their age and where they died. Some of the stones are also embellished with mountaineering equipment such as ropes and ice axes.