Matterhorn Museum - Zermatlantis

About the museum

The Matterhorn Museum opened in 2006 and lies underground next to Zermatt's village church, beneath the glass roof of the former casino. It is staged as the excavation site of a sunken world, hence the nickname Zermatlantis: visitors enter the rooms of old Zermatt as if the researchers of this imaginary dig had just gone off to lunch. The concept comes from the Büro Steiner of Sarnen, which has also designed other large museums.

The museum shows how Zermatt developed from a poor mountain farming village into a world-famous Alpine destination. Original houses and re-created scenes of everyday life show how the inhabitants held their own against the forces of nature through faith and hard work, and how mountaineers and researchers later came to the region.

The highlight is the story of the first ascent of the Matterhorn on 14 July 1865, in which four of the seven climbers died on the descent. The broken original rope and belongings of those who fell are on display. A multivision room shows excerpts from the film "Der Berg ruft" by Luis Trenker, which was shot in Zermatt in 1937/38, and a Matterhorn relief with illuminated lines shows the climbing routes. Among the oldest finds are a Neolithic stone axe and the remains of the "mercenary" Theo, who died crossing the Theodul Pass in the 16th century.

Highlights

• Broken original rope from the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865
• Belongings of the climbers who fell in 1865
• Remains of the "mercenary" Theo from the 16th century and a Neolithic stone axe
• Original houses and re-created scenes from old Zermatt
• Multivision room with excerpts from "Der Berg ruft" and a Matterhorn relief showing the routes

Permanent exhibition

• Zermatlantis – Dauerausstellung zur Geschichte von Zermatt und zum Matterhorn – The underground exhibition leads through old Zermatt with original houses, a multimedia room and the finds from the first ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Vereinigung Alpines Museum Zermatt

Admission & discounts

Free admission with the Museum Pass, with Raiffeisen cards bearing the Maestro, VISA or MasterCard logo, and with the Swiss Travel Pass, Swiss Flexi Pass and Swiss Youth Pass.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is wheelchair accessible. Dogs are not allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The museum describes itself as suitable for families; children up to age 9 get free admission when accompanied by adults.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Books and souvenirs in the museum shop.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum can be rented for events and aperitifs outside opening hours.

Plan your visit