The immense mountains that cut central Europe fascinate with its grandiosity and mark a whole culture and lifestyle of the regions where they are located.
The Alps are the highest and most extensive mountain ranges in Europe, spanning several countries: southern Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, France and Monaco. The Alps range is approximately 1,200 km long, with the highest point being Mont Blanc, in France, with an altitude of 4807 meters.
Despite the difficult relief and negative temperatures in winter, human occupation has been recorded in different areas along the Alps since prehistory. In antiquity, the Alps were inhabited by tribes, such as the Romans, Helvetians, Germans, among others. Already in the 2nd century BC, the Alps were the scene of battles between the army of Carthaginian general Hannibal and the Republic of Rome. Such battles were marked in history by the crossing of Hannibal and the elephants used in combat.
The trade routes that crossed the Alps, both in the Roman period and in the early Middle Ages, brought prosperity to the cities belonging to them, since crossing from the south to the north of Europe through the Alps was an arduous task. One of these routes was Via Claudia Augusta, which we now know as the Romantic Road in Germany.
Also in the heart of the Alps, the Helvetic Confederation was born in 1291, through a mutual and voluntary cooperation agreement between three cantons. What we know today as Switzerland – one of the most prosperous and developed nations in the world – has about 60% of its territory occupied by the Alps.
Thus, the relief and nature in the Alps created a culture and lifestyle of its own in the regions where the mountain range passes. Although in different countries, we see regions such as, for example, Tyrol, in Austria, or South Tyrol, in Italy, southern Bavaria, in Germany, which share many customs and cultural aspects in common, expressed in dialects, songs, parties, architecture, parties and cuisine known as “alpines”.
Not surprisingly, the mountain goat, or ibex, became present in many coats of arms of cities and cantons, as the symbol of resilience and strength of those who live near the giant Alpine mountains. Another symbol of the Alps is the Edelweiss flower. Also called “the flower of the Alps”, it is known for its cold resistance properties and for keeping it beautiful and looking intact, even when it is dry and thus also earned the nickname “eternal of the Alps”. The song “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music” movie perpetuated the name of this flower, just as the film showed the world the bucolic landscapes of the Austrian Alps.
In the 19th century, the population increased with the construction of railroads and soon there was the beginning of tourism, now entire cities are dedicated only to tourism in the Alps.
Summer or Winter: when is the best time to visit the Alps?
It is possible to do various activities in the Alps during any of the four seasons of the year. In Winter, the region is popular for snowboarding and skiing. In Summer, less radical activities such as walking, cycling and mountaineering take place, in addition to the alpine lakes that attract sailors and swimmers. A great idea is to go on top of other mountains to see the Alps from above! From Mount Generoso, located on the border between Switzerland and Italy, there is the landscape of almost the entire mountain range of the Alps, from the Matterhorn, through the Jungfrau to the Bernina Mountains!
Enjoy the Alps in Summer and Spring – outdoors, hiking, or biking
A charming attraction is to climb the mountain by cable car. Despite the cold, it is very worth it! In some mountains, such as Mount Titlis, in Switzerland, or Zugspitz, in Germany, the cabins are closed, for greater comfort and safety. Enjoying the view from above, having a hot chocolate (there are usually restaurants on the tops of the mountains), is spectacular, it has no equal! And to descend, the most courageous go from Rodelbahn, a “cart” on tracks that passes through the middle of the forest providing a stunning landscape. But for those who are afraid, it is possible to get off the cable car as well.
The experience of driving through the Alps is also incredible, seeing them from afar and gradually, the feeling is breathtaking. But what about snow, is it possible to see it in summer too? Yes!! Normally, even in cities the temperatures are around 30 degrees, it is still possible to see some snow accumulated on the mountain tops (each year is in a way, it is not guaranteed), and still enjoy it a lot, since Summer days are longer.
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