The history of the Lötschental at a glance
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January 1519
Trade route to the Bernese Oberland is expanded.
In 1519, Ulrich Ruffinger was commissioned to build a path for muleteers over the Lötschen Pass, which had already been used for centuries as a trade route to the Bernese Oberland and via which the Walliser settled the Gastern Valley in the Middle Ages.
January 1578
The plague breaks out
In 1578, the district administrator of Gampel orders plague guards to be posted at the entrance to the Löschental valley, as the plague had broken out there.
January 1627
The plague breaks out once again
In 1627, plague guards are again posted at the valley entrance to Lötschen to protect the inhabitants of Gampel from the plague raging in the Lötschen valley.
January 1654
Pilgrimage chapel Kühmatt is built
In 1654/55, the pilgrimage chapel in Kühmatt was built under the chapel bailiff Peter Tannast of the valley community (inscription on the lintel).
January 1698
Construction of the "Grafenriedsche Street"
In 1698, the Bernese captain Abraham von Grafenried gives the order to build the "Grafenriedsche Strasse", a paved mule track over the Lötschen Pass. (The Lötschen Pass was the most important connection between the Upper Valais and the Bernese Oberland until the Gemmiweg was built (1739-1741)). The mule track was built up to the Lötschen Pass, but its completion failed due to the denial of the right of way by the Valaisans, probably in memory of various battles in the 14th and 15th centuries between Valaisans and Bernese on the pass.
March 1766
The "graves" are sold to Ferden
These graves, in the local language "Greber", are a locality between Goppenstein and Mittal in the front Lötschental. A part of this area was sold. This part of the Greber is still on the municipal territory of Gampel, but belongs to the municipality of Ferden.
January 1790
Buyout from the upper censors - Own constitution
In 1790, Lötschen buys itself free from the jurisdiction of the five upper Zenden for 10,000 crowns.
The Lötschen valley gives itself its own constitution.
3 January 1815
Declaration of Independence of the Canton of Valais
8 July 1815
Valais is admitted to the Confederation of the Confederates
8 August 1840
first ascent of the Hockenhorn
In 1840, the Englishman A. T. Malkin climbs the 3293 m high Hockenhorn in August.
January 1849
Construction of the road Steg - Goppenstein
In 1849, the English entrepreneur John James Rippon builds a road from Steg to the lead mines of Goppenstein. These lead mines, which are mentioned in a document as early as 1474 and where quite a few people from the Lötschental earned their living, are not finally closed down until 1953.
13 August 1859
First ascent of the Bietschhorn (3934 m.a.s.l.)
1859 First ascent of the Bietschhorn (3934 m) by Leslie Stephen (1832-1904) and the Lötschental mountain guides Anton Siegen (Ried), Johann Siegen (Ried) and Joseph Ebener (*1808, Wiler) on August 13 at the urging of Prior Lehner from Kippel.
January 1868
Hotel Nesthorn (Ried) is opened
In 1868 the first hotel, the Hotel "Nesthorn" was opened in Ried. The guests were mainly English-speaking tourists (alpinists).
January 1897
Lonza AG starts production
In 1897, Lonza AG opened its first industrial plant in Gampel. Thanks to a larger chemical plant in Visp from 1907, as well as intensive research and innovation, the product range was steadily expanded even in economically difficult times.
6 May 1901
Wiler village fire
January 1903
Construction of the Hotel Lötschberg
In 1903 the present Hotel Lötschberg was built in Kippel
1906
Albert Nyfeler begins his work as a church painter
In 1906, the church painter Albert Nyfeler came to the Lötschental with the commission to paint the Kippel church. He stayed in the valley, photographed, drew and painted the life of the inhabitants and collected objects that laid the foundation for the Lötschental Museum opened in 1982.
1906 - 1913
Construction of the Lötschberg tunnel
1906-1913 Construction of the Lötschberg tunnel. Goppenstein, until then a small village, grew within a very short time to the second largest of the whole Konton Wallis and had up to 3,500 inhabitants. Gampel also grew to over 2000 inhabitants during the construction of the BLS line.
January 1939
Opening of the valley road Gampel - Goppenstein
In 1939, after 12 years of construction, the Gampel-Goppenstein road was opened.
January 1940
Opening of the anthracite mine in Ferden
In 1940, the anthracite mine near Ferden brought not only a new and welcome earning opportunity, but also a new work and time rhythm to the valley.
7 July 1942
First summit cross on the Bietschhorn
In 1940, the first summit cross was erected on the Bietschhorn. For 28 years, the wooden cross withstood wind and weather.
9 August 1949
Coal mining in Ferden is discontinued
In 1948, coal mining at the mine near Ferden was finally stopped. Coal had been mined here especially during the two world wars.
1953 - 1954
Extension of the valley road to Blatten
January 1956
Construction of the first ski lift
In 1956, in order to promote winter tourism in the valley, the first ski lift - as a drag lift - is built from Kippel to Haispil below Hockenalp.
January 1961
Opening of Alusuisse
1968
First Tschäggättu parade in the Lötschen valley
January 1972
The valley road is continued to Fafleralp
12 February 1974
Opening of the Lauchernalp cable car
9 June 1976
The dam in Ferden is completed
Der Stausee Ferden ist ein Stausee an der Lonza im Lötschental. Er befindet sich auf etwa 1300 m. ü. M zwischen den beiden Ortschaften Ferden und Goppenstein im Kanton Wallis und gehört zur Gemeinde Ferden.