This mountain was originally called Yesen, and the phrase „An Yesen“ (by Yesen) eventually formed the name Niesen. Yesen is another name for yellow gentian, a flower that still blooms high up on the mountain today. In the past, its bitter-tasting roots were used to make medicine. In 1856, the first inn was opened at the top of the mountain. Until the funicular railway was built fifty years later, guests had to climb up the mountain on foot. (Among them was the composer Johannes Brahms, who climbed the Niesen in 1886.) The wealthy were taken up by horses or mules or even in sedan chairs carried by four men. In 1859, a carrier would make 8 Swiss Francs a day to make the 1,700-metre climb. The price to hire a horse was 15 to 20 Francs, which was a considerable sum in those days.
This mountain was originally called Yesen, and the phrase „An Yesen“ (by Yesen) eventually formed the name Niesen. Yesen is another name for yellow gentian, a flower that ...
still blooms high up on the mountain today. In the past, its bitter-tasting roots were used to make medicine. In 1856, the first inn was opened at the top of the mountain. Until the funicular railway was built fifty years later, guests had to climb up the mountain on foot. (Among them was the composer Johannes Brahms, who climbed the Niesen in 1886.) The wealthy were taken up by horses or mules or even in sedan chairs carried by four men. In 1859, a carrier would make 8 Swiss Francs a day to make the 1,700-metre climb. The price to hire a horse was 15 to 20 Francs, which was a considerable sum in those days.
