Switzerland, Wengen

Wengen (1274 m) is a village in the Bernese Oberland in central Switzerland.

Wengen has approximately 1,400 year-round residents. This number swells to 5,000 during summer and to 10,000 during the winter peak tourist season.

History

Wengen was first mentioned in official documents in 1268. The origin of the name is unknown.Originally a farming community, the first tourists started to arrive in the mountain village during the early 19th century. One of the first visitors was Felix Mendelssohn. The first hotel opened in 1859 and tourism greatly expanded after the construction of the Wengernalpbahn in the 1890s.

Since 1930, the famous Lauberhorn ski races have been held in Wengen. The races traditionally consist of a downhill run, a slalom, and a combined event. In addition to being one of the technically most challenging downhill races, the Lauberhorn is the longest race in the FIS world cup circuit and arguably the most scenic.

Recreation

Wengen is internationally renowed for staging the Lauberhorn ski races, and it is on the route of the Jungfrau Marathon.

There are many activities that are open for visitors, even for those who do not ski. Although skiing is the main recreational activity in Wengen, the average tourist is not likely to be bored.

In the winter time - especially around the holidays - there are many shops open selling various gifts and electronics.

Transport

It is one of very few car-free resort villages in Europe, although there are a few electric vehicles for taxiing to and from the train station.

The rail service from Lauterbrunnen to Wengen runs daily from early in the morning until very late at night and is the most intensively operated section of the Wengernalpbahn.

All freight is delivered by rail from Lauterbrunnen into a depot underneath the passenger railway station, and refuse is returned from the village also by rail.

The cable car Luftseilbahn Wengen-Männlichen operates seasonally.