Whymper Stube - Where the 1865 Tragedy Began

Eat fondue and drink Valais wine at Whymper Stube in Hotel Monte Rosa, where Edward Whymper and his team stayed the night before the first Matterhorn ascent on July 14, 1865. Four of seven climbers died on descent. Then walk 3 minutes to the churchyard where Croz, Hudson, and Hadow are buried. History is not abstract - it's 100 meters away.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Dine Where They Planned the Fatal Climb History · Price: moderate

   This is where Edward Whymper and his team stayed the night of July 13, 1865, before the first ascent of the Matterhorn - the next day, 4 of 7 climbers died on descent. You're eating in the room where they planned history's most famous mountaineering tragedy. At Whymper Stube restaurant inside Hotel Monte Rosa (Bahnhofstrasse 80, 2 min from train station), book a table (+41 27 966 03 33) and request the corner booth if available. Ask your server about Edward Whymper - the hotel displays photos and memorabilia from the 1865 expedition, and some staff know which room was Whymper's.

   Backup: If Whymper Stube fully booked, eat fondue at Cheese Factory or Ferdinand, then still visit the churchyard.

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2. 2 Order the Fondue and Fendant Wine · Price: moderate

   Order moitié-moitié fondue (half Gruyère, half Vacherin, CHF 35-45) with Fendant du Valais (CHF 10-15/glass) - this is what Swiss mountaineers have eaten before climbs for 150 years. At your table in Whymper Stube, eat slowly as fondue is heavier than it looks, and follow Swiss tradition: never drink water with fondue (locals say it solidifies cheese in stomach - myth, but follow the culture). The crisp, mineral Fendant cuts through the cheese perfectly. Hot tea or white wine only.

   Backup: If not hungry for fondue, order Assiette Valaisanne (dried meat platter) with the same Fendant.

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3. 3 Visit the Graves 100 Meters Away History · Free

   Walk 3 minutes from Hotel Monte Rosa to find the graves of the men who planned their fatal climb in the restaurant where you just ate. At Zermatt Mountaineers' Cemetery (Kirchplatz, behind the Catholic church), find Michel Croz (French guide, age 35), Charles Hudson (English clergyman, 36), Douglas Hadow (19). Lord Francis Douglas's body was never found - he has a memorial but no grave. The cemetery is always open - spend 10-15 minutes reading inscriptions and reflecting that you just ate where they planned a climb that killed them, and they're buried 100 meters away.

   Backup: No backup needed - cemetery is always accessible.

   Log Memory