Niederwald: In the Footsteps of CĂ©sar Ritz
Accommodation in Niederwald
Niederwald is a village in Goms at an altitude of 1,252 metres. For travellers who would like to combine their stay with village history, the legacy of César Ritz, historic wooden houses and two themed trails are the main attractions. The trails differ in length and focus: the village walk leads to the village’s buildings and notable figures, while the longer life trail is dedicated to César Ritz.
Getting here and finding your way
Niederwald railway station can be reached by train from Andermatt or Visp. You can reach Niederwald from Andermatt or Brig via main road 19. Check the latest train connections for your journey. Ritz Station is located in the railway station building and is dedicated to CĂ©sar Ritz. It is also the starting and finishing point of the village walk.
Two themed trails with different focuses
The Niederwald village walk is an easy, 519-metre circular themed trail. At four stops, it shares information about important buildings and remarkable figures from the village. If you would like to focus on a short route, this walk offers an overview of these subjects; audio guides for the village walk are available from Ritz Station.
At 5.5 kilometres, the CĂ©sar Ritz Life Trail is considerably longer. It begins at Niederwald railway station, leads through Blitzingen and Bodmen, and returns to Niederwald. Six panels provide bilingual insights into the life, work, ideas and visions of CĂ©sar Ritz. This makes it easy to choose a route based on your interests: the village walk focuses on village buildings and notable figures, while the life trail explores a single biography.
Ritz Station and the history of the village
The permanent exhibition at Ritz Station is dedicated to César Ritz and his wife, Marie-Louise Ritz-Beck. It displays objects from the archives of the Ritz Hotel in Paris, including a reconstruction of Suite M from the former Ritz Hotel on Place de la Vendôme. César Ritz’s birthplace is a major attraction in Niederwald; a monument to him stands at the César Ritz fountain.
Historical records mention Niederwald as an independent community around 1300. The settlement’s history includes the old Rhône bridge, locally known as «Rottebrigge», and an old mule track from Ernen, which crosses here to the right bank of the Rhône. The historic village centre features Upper Goms wooden houses arranged closely together. The oldest still-inhabited house in Niederwald dates from the 16th century.
Church, ossuary and chapel
The present-day parish church of St Theodul was consecrated in 1678 by Bishop Adrian IV of Riedmatten. Johann Sigristen created its altars and pulpit around 1700. The baptismal font dates from 1671 and was made in the Lagger workshop in Reckingen. These dates establish a clear chronology for several elements of the church’s furnishings: from the baptismal font, to the consecration, and then to the altars and pulpit created later.
The ossuary was probably built in the third quarter of the 17th century. An X-shaped St Andrew’s cross on the gable supports the shingle roof. The present-day St Sebastian’s Chapel, also known as the Chapel of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, stylistically dates to the mid-18th century. A Hubertus Mass is held there every year at the start of the hunting season; check the local date before your trip.
Trails, cycling and seasonal activities
The almost level Rottenweg follows the young RhĂ´ne through meadows and light woodland from village to village. It is also suitable for prams and bicycles. Niederwald is also a starting point for mountain bike tours. The village history trails therefore complement the activities available to travellers who would like to combine their stay with outdoor recreation.
In Goms, the cross-country ski trail network stretches across the high valley from Oberwald to Niederwald; trails are groomed for both classic and skating techniques. Trail routes and distance details can change between winter seasons. For a meal, the Drei Tannen hotel-restaurant serves Goms «Chouera» and a seasonal «César Ritz» menu. The menu may change, so it is a good idea to check the current offering in advance.
Discover more destinations: Ernen, Blitzingen, Grafschaft, Fieschertal, Fiesch, Oberwald, MĂĽnster-Geschinen, Binn
Back to the main travel overview: Goms.
