Zermatt is a car free town. Little electric cars are used, they are small and can handle the narrow and steep grades and small roads. We caught one of these as a taxi to get to our hostel, we would have had a great difficulty finding the hostel otherwise, it towns layout is a bit confusing as there are hardly any roads, just ‘paths’ disappearing up the slopes. We were dropped us off at the door after driving along ‘roads’ that were more like paths to us. Was fun.
There is a major train station although only one line, a racked line (cogged) into town. If you drive you have to park your car and catch the train into town. Once in town you can walk, ride a bike or have a small electric car. We did see someone regularly on a lawnmower with trailer, as transport.
We walked downhill into town to do a spot of exploring, in the evening we walked in the opposite direction and walked through the suburban area. The population of Zermatt is about 6000 but in the high season (Winter) the population more than doubles.
Buildings are interesting as even the modern ones follow the basic shape and design making for a characteristic style. Old and new buildings are all mixed together
We went exploring the area of Zermatt away from the expensive shops. First we stopped at the church and mountaineers cemetery, a special place with a view of the Great Mountain.
A river, cream with sediment runs through the town, most of the buildings are close together with very little resemblance of a grid pattern. Away from the town centre there are lots of meadows, areas of long grass and interesting flowers.
From our hostel window we can see small wooded buildings and lots of sheep and cows with bells. Yes, all over Switzerland the cows really do have bells !
Zermatt is a funny little place, in some ways you feel like in a very upmarket resort with glitzy shops and tourists everywhere. Then you look up and there are meadows with small barns, cows, sheep and goats.
Architecture is interesting in that the style is maintained generally. Although there are modern buildings the ‘Swiss’ style is kept, Interesting that the rooves have tiles made out of rock slabs about an inch thick and 1ft square, made in a diamond pattern. Even on buildings being built now.