Weisstannen, located at an altitude of 1004 m above sea level, is politically part of the municipality of Mels together with the hamlet of Schwendi. The valley is home to a total of around 220 inhabitants. The former Walser village of Weisstannen is divided into an upper and lower village and has an eventful history, which is reflected in the old post office and the village sawmill, among other things. In the 14th century, the climate deteriorated so much that the Walsers had to abandon their settlement and rebuild it at lower altitudes. The foundations of the old settlement can still be seen today on Valtnov.
background
The Weisstannental offers interested visitors a variety of wild, romantic natural beauties and special features, where real discovery and experience are the focus. The valley is characterized by numerous waterfalls, geological features, steep mountain flanks with various types of forest and the many well-preserved alpine farms. This natural and cultural mountain landscape is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona and is home to one of the oldest hunting areas in Switzerland, where the country's first ibexes were resettled. Weisstannen is also located on the Via Alpina, a green long-distance hiking trail from Vaduz to Montreux, which is also well-known and popular with foreign guests.
Weisstannen is a modest Swiss Alpine village that has retained its original and authentic atmosphere. Alpine culture is still alive and well here.
Tannhuser and the Goatherd
A boy was tending goats in the zoo. He heard music and discovered a door in a rock. He opened it and found a magnificent hall with sleeping men around a large round table. One of the men had a long white beard that had grown around the table. The men asked the boy what time it was, but the boy quickly ran away and was never able to find the door again.
As for the mysterious music in the Tiergarten, everyone notices that the light wind that brushes along the jagged rocks on the west side of the hill, together with the distant sound of the waterfalls, creates a sweet and clearly audible music, like an organ or Aeolian harp.
Access
From Zurich on the A3 or from St.Gallen on the A13 to the Sargans/Mels exit. Follow the signs for Mels/Weisstannen.
