UNESCO World Heritage

Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch

In 2001, the Wengen-Mürren-Lauterbrunnen Vallea gained yet another prestigious highlight. Thanks to the initiative of Wengen hotelier Andrea Cova among other things, the Jungfrau-Aletsch region, which also includes the Rear Lauterbrunnen Valley, was accepted to the list of UNESCO World heritage sites. The exceptionally beautiful natural landscape has been a Swiss protected nature conservation area since 1960.

The region around the Jungfrau, Great Aletsch Glacier and Bietschhorn gained UNESCO recognition because its stunning mountain landscape fulfills the criteria set by the World Heritage committee in exceptional fashion: namely diversity, beauty and uniqueness.

The impressive summits of the World Heritage are unique evidence of the formation of the Alps. The high Alps of the Bernese Oberland, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, are one of the world's most famous mountain panoramas. The World Heritage region boasts five of the seven longest glaciers in the Swiss Alps, including Great Aletsch Glacier (23km). The huge altitude differences and special climatic conditions encourage the development of Alpine and sub-Alpine habitags. However, the attractiveness of the region is not only attributet to the uniqueness of its high mountains and the impressive natural landscape. Its special character also comes from the contrast to the traditional cultivated landscapes which border the World Heritage and have been shaped by farming for centuries. Today the World Heritage covers a total area of 824 km².

Visit the first World Heritage of the Alps and discover the unique character, diversity and breathtaking beauty of the Jungfrau-Aletsch region.