A monument to Cäsar Ritz stands at the Cäsar Ritz fountain; his birthplace is one of Niederwald’s main attractions. Together with the historic wooden houses and the Station Ritz, Ritz history shapes the town’s cultural and historical character.
Village history and townscape
Niederwald is a village in Goms at an altitude of 1,252 metres. Closely spaced Upper Goms wooden houses define its historic architecture; the village’s oldest still-inhabited house dates from the 16th century. Historical records mention Niederwald as an independent community around 1300. The settlement’s development is also linked to the old Rhône bridge, locally called «Rottebrigge», and an old mule track. The track led here from Ernen and crossed to the right bank of the Rhône at this point.
Cäsar Ritz and the Station Ritz
The Station Ritz visitor centre, dedicated to Cäsar Ritz, is located in the railway station building. The permanent exhibition is devoted to the hotelier and his wife, Marie-Louise Ritz-Beck. It features 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. This brings Cäsar Ritz’s life story together with tangible exhibition pieces.
Two themed trails, different focuses
The Niederwald village trail is a 519-metre, easy circular route that starts and ends at the Station Ritz. Four stops share interesting facts about the village’s notable buildings and extraordinary personalities. The Station Ritz offers audio guides for this walk. The Cäsar Ritz life trail is considerably longer at 5.5 kilometres and is bilingual. It starts at Niederwald railway station, passes through Blitzingen and Bodmen, and returns to Niederwald. Six panels cover Cäsar Ritz’s life and work, as well as his ideas and visions. The village trail focuses on village buildings and personalities; the longer route focuses on Cäsar Ritz.
Churches, chapels and architecture
The parish church of St. Theodul was consecrated in 1678 by Bishop Adrian IV of Riedmatten. Its fittings point to other dates: the baptismal font, from the Lagger workshop in Reckingen, dates from 1671, while Johann Sigristen created the altars and pulpit around 1700. The charnel house was probably built in the third quarter of the 17th century. On its gable, a St Andrew’s cross supports the shingle roof as a timber-bracing structure. The present-day St. Sebastian’s Chapel, also known as the Chapel of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, dates stylistically to the mid-18th century. A St Hubertus Mass is held there every year at the start of the hunting season. If you would like to include this tradition in your trip, check local dates before travelling.
Food culture, travel and winter options
The Hotel-Restaurant Drei Tannen serves Gommer «Chouera» and a seasonal «Cäsar Ritz» menu; the menu may change. Niederwald railway station can be reached by train from Andermatt or Visp. Niederwald is accessible from Andermatt or Brig via federal highway 19. The village is also a starting point for bike tours.
As a regional winter option, the Goms cross-country ski trail network stretches from Oberwald to Niederwald, with trails groomed for both classic and skating styles. As trail network information can change from one winter season to the next, check the latest overview for your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Ulrichen, Lax, Fiesch, Binn, Fieschertal, Oberwald, Blitzingen, Reckingen.
View the overview of the wider region: Goms.
