Gornergrat Chapel

Perched at 3,100 meters (10,170 feet) above sea level, the Gornergrat Chapel might not be the grandest place of worship in Switzerland, but it certainly boasts one of the best views. Nestled on the ridge of Gornergrat near Zermatt, it offers an awe-inspiring panorama of the Matterhorn (the iconic Swiss mountain; not the ride at Disney… unless you have really strong binoculars). At such an elevation, it could rank among the top three highest elevated chapels in the world. Small but tall!

Built in 1950 and dedicated to Switzerland’s patron saint and hermit St. Nicholas of Flüethe, the chapel offers a quiet refuge amid the harsh but breathtaking mountain landscape. The simple stone exterior blends perfectly with its surroundings, while the wooden interior provides a warmth that stands in stark contrast to the often icy winds outside. Pilgrims, mountaineers, and visitors taking the Gornergrat Railway (Europe’s highest open-air cogwheel train) regularly stop by for a moment of peace before continuing their ascent or descent. 

Of course, not just anyone can build a chapel at 3,100 meters. Constructing the Gornergrat Chapel required the dedication of local builders and climbers willing to transport materials to dizzying heights—no easy feat in the mid-20th century. But thanks to their efforts, the chapel has stood for over seventy years, offering weary travelers a rare combination of spirituality, solitude, and an absolutely unbeatable photo op. Not to say that a photo op is as important as spirituality or solitude… but it’s still a great perk of this pew-tiful mountain chapel.