The Development of an Alpine Village
The history of the mountain village of Mürren dates back to the 13th century. That was when the village was first mentioned in writing. Since then, this car-free village has transformed into a thriving tourist destination. A wide variety of people, projects, and initiatives have left their mark on the so-called “Bäziterrasse.”
1257 First written mention of the village “Uf dr Muren”
1857 The Winteregg mountain community builds the “Silberhorn” inn
1870 The Grand Hotel and Kurhaus are built
1879 First golden age. It becomes fashionable for aristocrats, politicians, painters, and scholars to seek relaxation in Mürren
1991 The Mürrenbahn opens
1910 The Mürrenbahn begins operating in winter as well. Spelterini crosses the Alps in a balloon for the first time
1912 The Allmendhubelbahn begins operation. And the Mürren Ski Club is founded
1922 Behind the Hotel Jungfrau, Sir Arnold Lunn officiates the first slalom race in the history of alpine skiing
1923 The British Women’s Ski Club is founded in Mürren
1924 Sir Arnold Lunn founds the Kandahar Ski Club in Mürren
1928 The Inferno Race is launched. The race course from the Schilthorn to Lauterbrunnen is 15.8 km long and has an elevation difference of 2,150 m
1930 Switzerland’s first ski school is founded in Mürren
1931 The British Ski Federation organizes the first Alpine World Championships in slalom and downhill in Mürren
1937 The first ski lift in the Bernese Oberland opens at Schiltgrat
1957 Opening of Switzerland’s first Alpine training center. Fred Dolder crosses the Alps in a hot air balloon
1962 The first International Ballooning Weeks are held
1965 The first section of the Schilthornbahn (Stechelberg–Gimmelwald–Mürren) opens (initiated by Ernst Feuz)
1966 The Schilthornbahn reaches the summit. Length: 6.9 km; elevation gain: 2,103 m
1969 Inauguration of the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant, following the filming of the James Bond movie “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” at the summit
1983 Opening of the Alpine Sports Center
1992 First Inferno Half Marathon: Lauterbrunnen–Schilthorn
1993 50th Inferno Ski Race
1994 Mürren opens a branch of the Swiss Sports Museum
1998 1st Inferno Triathlon: Thun–Schilthorn
2003 The Inferno Race is held for the 60th time
2006 Reopening of the Lauterbrunnen–Grütschalp aerial tramway (replacing the funicular)
2008 First Amateur Inter-Club Ski World Championships
2012 Renovation and constrution of a new wellness facility at the Alpine Sports Center and 100 years of winter sports in Mürren
2013 Opening of BOND WORLD 007, Schilthorn
2014 Opening of the SKYLINE WALK on Birg an the FLOWER PARK on the Allmendhubel
2015 Opening of the 007 WALK OF FAME, Schilthorn
2016 Opening of the THRILL WALK, Birg; snowmaking system for part of the ski area
20XX Renovation of the Schilthornbahn and its buildings, and direct rail connection between Stechelberg and Mürren for guest
Book Recommendation: “Chandelier in Front of the Virgin”
The book offers a colorful and varied overview of the last 150 years in Mürren.
This story is told through pictures, stories, and anecdotes about Mürren’s hoteliers, guests, farmers, railway investors, and spa directors.
The book, as well as various nostalgic posters, can be purchased at the Tourist Information Office.
