Thursday Doors is a weekly feature allowing door lovers to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos from around the world. Feel free to join in on the fun by creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing it, between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time), by using the blue link-up button below.
Doors From the Lötschental Valley – Switzerland
Note: I’ve decided to take a blogging break for the holidays so next week will be our last #ThursdayDoors link-up for 2017.
To recap – There’ll be no link-up on December 28th and January 4th. I’ll be back with our regular weekly link-up on January 11th.
I’m still not very mobile this week, but I have to say that it’s amazing what you can find in the archives when you have no choice 🙂
One of my favorite discoveries during our time in Switzerland a few years ago was a day-trip we spent hiking in the Lötschental Valley in the southern part of the country.
It is said that this roughly 17 mile (27 km) long isolated valley tucked into the Bernese Alps in the Canton of Valais has been inhabited since Roman times.
However, being flanked by almost 10,000 ft (3000m) mountains on both sides, the area was cut off from civilization until the first tunnel was carved into those mountains for a rail line in the early 20th century.
Remote even by today’s standards; the combined total population of the four main villages in this UNESCO World Heritage Site valley is less than 2000 people.
Along with the breathtaking scenery, you’ll find dozens of centuries-old traditional log homes built on stilts.
There are of course a few shops and restaurants as well as a number of small hotels to accommodate tourists who visit at various times of the year either for the skiing or the hiking.
The one thing you can’t miss are the carved wooden masks called “Tschäggättu” which are on display everywhere in the valley.
These masks are worn by many as part of their traditional winter carnival. I read that in centuries past the masks and fur covered costumes were donned by young single men and used to scare the crap out of school children and also to attract the attention and affections of the unmarried women of the villages.
Ahem ladies, if this is something you find the least bit arousing, then all I can say is that you deal in a level of kink that I truly do not understand 😀
But hey, whatever floats your boat…I guess 😉
Regardless of the weird factor, between the amazing skiing in the winter, the spectacular hiking opportunities in summer, and the rich history and traditional architecture, the Lötschental Valley is a wonderful region to discover at any time of year.
As always, thanks so much for visiting 🙂
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Such an enchanting valley and stunning photos! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and happy new year to you, Norm. I hope also that you are able to rest and feel more mobile soon! =)
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This was such a Swiss treat of a blog post, Norm!
Those who used quaint, charming and fairy tale covered my immense longing to go see this village in person.
I enjoyed this year, your churches, buildings and murals chosen to decorate our lives. Hope you have some relief from tendonitis, Norm. This concerned me, as I don’t always check in on how You feel. Best wishes for a special grand finale of the year, and wishing you the best in the new year, too. 💞🎄🎉
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Wonderful images Norm. I’ve not been to Switzerland, but it looks beautiful. Those views are amazing. It’s such an interesting combination….overflowing flowers in window boxes mixed with frightening masks!
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Beautiful images and doors, Norm! I haven’t been in contact for several weeks and I see that I have missed a lot so I better something posted tonight before your break.
That wodden csbin structure with the toadstool looking foundation pier was one of my favs!
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beautiful scenery. Those masks are little scary.
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Fabulous photos, Norm! I saw the Swiss Alps from northern Italy five years ago, and that’s as close as I got.
Here’s hoping you’re feeling much better when you get back in January. Enjoy your break and happy holidays. 🙂
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Thanks Jennifer. Taking the train from the Swiss side and going through the mountains all the way down into Milan was another highlight of that trip.
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I bet it was!
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Wow! Thank you for a fabulous trip to Switzerland… even with the masks. 🙂 Merry Christmas, Norm. 🎄
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Thank you Jennie and right back at you 😀
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You’re welcome, Norm. Enjoy your R&R.
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Lovely Switzerland!
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It is indeed 🙂
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Love the log cabin because it reminds me of all the hours I spent as a child with Lincoln logs. 🙂
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Oh Judy, I could’ve kicked someone out and moved into one of the cabins in a heartbeat 😉
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True, the archives van be all kinds of unexpected source of goodies for blog posts – with me it was in the summer when my computer crashed. I wonder how the men thought the unmarried females would be attracted to those scary ugly masks … Especially the one next to the door of Muskenkeller!
Sorry you are still not very mobile – some things we just have no control over, sigh. Hope you will have a wonderful time for Christmas with the ones you love!
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I think the display of artisitc talent and their carving ability may have had something to do with any perceived attraction, but I’m not sure. Thank you for the Christmas wishes – same to you as well 🙂
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You can’t beat Switzerland for quaint. Have a great holiday, Norm. I’m going to be taking a break as well.
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Thanks Jan. I think a break from social media will do us all some good 😉
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Plain old wooden doors. But fascinating masks in a beautiful location.
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Thank you 🙂
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Fabulous pictures, Norm!
Those masks.. nope, they don’t do it for me! No wonder they scared small children.
I was particularly surprised by the old log cabin on stilts. It goes to show that people knew how to build things to last. It looks like the whole thing should have collapsed ages ago.
You make me want to visit the area (like my list isn’t long enough, already).
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Thanks Leah. It’s amazing that as we get older our list of places to visit gets longer, not shorter. The only thing stopping me is the time and the money 😀
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So true on both counts, Norm.
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Those masks must look really scary looming at you out of the dark! 🙂
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Thanks Ruth. Yes someone unexpectedly jumping out at me wearing one of those would scare the crap out of me.
On a side note, I believe my comments on your blog are getting caught up in the spam filter. You may want to check for pending comments from the Admin Dashboard. I don’t know why this keeps happening to me 😦
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Thanks Norm, I’ll check my spam folder 🙂
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Wonderful shots of the ‘chalets’ — and even the masks — but there’s something incongruent about the satellite dish on the side of the last house!
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Yes that dish stands out doesn’t it? I really wanted it in the shot to show that even remote locations have access to the outside world. Thanks 🙂
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What a strange little custom to be found in a small village in the alps! I wonder if those masked men ever found suitable partners or remained bachelors their whole lives? Hmmmm…..
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Hmmm indeed Lynn. Centuries later, still less than 2000 people in the whole valley…I’ll leave you to your own conclusions 😉
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Those masks are amazing – not in a ‘float your boat’ way, though.
Lots of history in that location. Just beautiful! Hope it doesn’t become too developed in the future.
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Thanks Candy. Aside from skiing and hiking there’s really not much else to do in this place so I wouldn’t be too worried about it becoming over-run with outsiders 🙂
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What a neat part of the world. We live in a double-wide mobile home, so I love the photo of the log cabin on stilts!! It’s like the original footprint for mobile homes. Lol.
I’m with you on those masks. But, you say they were cut off from civilization, so who knows? I’m thinking those masks could’ve just as easily scared the crap out of the unmarried women thus greatly diminishing the chances of future generations!! Lol.
The last building is a beauty, complete with a satellite dish! Very interesting post.
—-Ginger—-
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Thank you Ginger. I’m leaning towards you theory on the masks. Quite likely a contributing factor to the relatively low population of the valley 😉
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That mask is creepy. The rest… adorbs. I love quaint villages like this. Thanks for taking me there, ya know, virtually.
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Thanks Tara. Glad you enjoyed this 🙂
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I love this past. Beautiful photos and a lesson in culture and history!
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Thank you Corina 🙂
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Beautiful scenery around this quaint little town. I’m thinking NO on the masks. 🙂
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I thinking the same thing on the masks, but I’d love to go back to see how they are incorporated into their winter carnival.
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It is clear to see why such masks could “attract the attention and affections of the unmarried women of the villages”. I suppose it gave them a vision of their future. 🙂
As always, beautiful doors.
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And what a scary vision it is – probably why there’s still less than 2000 people in the whole valley today 😀
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Delightful, Norm. Enjoy your break. Have a thriving Thursday!
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Thank you Teagan. Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
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Wonderful photos, Norm! I love the log home sitting up on little log pilings. Oh mu goodness I could live in that!
Thanks for the heads-up on the break. I think it’s a good thing. I ,ay actually skip me some Thursdays 🙂
I hope you are fully mobile soon.
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Thanks Dan. I kinda sensing a bit of door fatigue with a number of our regular contributors. In fact with this darn nagging tendinitis problem, I’m feeling a little fatigued myself. I think a few weeks off for the holidays will do us all some good.
I’ll be starting some physical therapy as soon which should help. It’s far from a serious injury but it is awfully annoying 😦
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I tend to agree, Norm. A break will be nice.
I’ve had tendinitis and it does drag you down. Good luck with the PT.
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I thought I’d seen most of Valais when I lived nearby, but clearly not. Never came across this beautiful place. Interesting cultural convergence with some of the high valleys in Bhutan: the same raised wooden houses, firewood stored below the floor, and incredible grotesque masks. Wonderful post.
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Thanks. We would have never heard of this place or ever thought to go there without the suggestion from our local hosts. It was truly one of my favourite discoveries on this trip 🙂
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Love that cabin/hotel at the bottom. Rustic dreams 🙂
It does look like a wonderful place to travel. I’m charmed by the masks and the trailing geraniums, not to mention the breathtaking backdrop!
I’m also in my archives, until a sunny, calm day. I’ve found many new doors. I need to find the will to get out of the car and walk in the blistering wind — until that happens, door savings account! 😉
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Thank you Joey. Charming is indeed the right word to describe this place.
Thank goodness for door savings accounts 🙂
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Although I spent some time in Switzerland some (make that “many”) years ago, I didn’t see this part of it. What a beautiful place! I don’t find anything arousing or attracting in those masks, unless it would be to find the most creative/best woodcarver. 🙂 Thanks for such a beautiful start to my Thursday. See you next week. Although I’ll miss it the weeks after that, I may be taking a blogging break for the holidays, too, so I appreciate it.
janet
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Thanks Janet. I hope the artistic/creative side was meant to be part of the attraction with these masks.
I’m getting the feeling that many of our regular contributors are suffering from a bit of door fatigue and need a break. I hope that a few weeks off for the holidays brings everyone back re-energized and with lots of new discoveries to share 🙂
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I never tire of doing the doors challenge, but I think a general break during this season is a good thing. Family, friends, and Christmas are even more important than blogging. Whaaaaat??? 🙂
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What an interesting post Norm. And no, I don’t find those masks attractive. Scary? Yes.
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Thanks Colline. I’m thinking that perhaps part of the intended attraction was to show off their artistic imagination and carvings skills ;-/
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That last photo of the cottage-y door is my favorite. Although all of your photos are amazing. What a fun place to visit.
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Thank you Ally. It was fun. I’d love to go back and see it in winter someday.
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*Charming* doesn’t quite cover it as a description for this lovely little village. The buildings look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale and those masks are works of art. But “to attract the attention and affections of the unmarried women”? …. sorry, but I laughed out loud 😆
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Yeah I gave my head a shake when I heard the courtship angle about the masks too. I’m thinking maybe that’s why the whole valley still has less than 2000 inhabitants! 😀
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HAHAHAHA!! Could be! It wouldn’t surprise me at all 😆
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Wonderful!
Your opening image is simply gorgeous. And I love the stilted log home – you’ve caught it such a great angle.
My only disappointment with your post is that I’m not there!!
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Thanks Debbie. I wouldn’t mind being there again myself. It must be at least as lovely in winter 🙂
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