The first document mentioning Zermatt with the initial name "Protobornum" originates from 1280. The old seal of the municipality also bears a similar inscription: "Vallis Prato Borni" whose equivalent translation leads to today's "zer matt", which was first discovered on a map dated 1495. In the course of time the people of Zermatt bought their freedom with money, paying for it in an old Swiss currency called "Moersepfund"
The tourism in Zermatt started in 1820. In 1838 vicar Ruden encouraged Dr. Josef Lauber, surgeon, to open the first inn with three beds under the name "Hotel Cervin" (later Monte Rosa)
Hearing the name of Zermatt immediately means thinking of the Matterhorn unforgettable and fascinating for everybody who sees it once. The Matterhorn, this unique and most beautiful mountain of the alps is truly a magnificent monument of nature.
The first man to ever climb the Matterhorn was Edward Whymper, who on the 14th of July 1865 stood on the top. With him was Rev Charles Hudson, Lord Francis Douglas. There is a special room in the museum with material dedicated to the event. Amoung other famous people that have climbed the impressive mountain around Zermatt, we see a picture and a note from Winston Churchill, who climbed the Monte Rosa with a guide from Zermatt.