Gsteig bei Gstaad

Coat of arms

Gsteig bei Gstaad

Location of Gsteig bei Gstaad

Coordinates: 46°23′N 7°16′E / 46.383°N 7.267°ECoordinates: 46°23′N 7°16′E / 46.383°N 7.267°E

Country

Area

• Total

62.44 km² (24.11 sq mi)

Elevation

1,184 m (3,885 ft)

Population (Dec 2015)

• Total

976

• Density

16/km² (40/sq mi)

Postal code

3785

SFOS number

0841

Surrounded by

Château-d'Œx (VD), Lauenen, Ormont-Dessus (VD), Saanen, Savièse (VS)

Website

www.gsteig.ch
SFSO statistics

Gsteig bei Gstaad is a municipality in the Obersimmental-Saanen administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Gsteig was formerly known by the French name of Châtelet.

Gsteig is first mentioned in 1312 as Chastelet. In 1453, it was mentioned as Steig.

The villages of Gsteig and Feutersoey grew up along the roads over the Col du Pillon and the Sanetsch Pass. During the Middle Ages, a castle was built in the valley to protect and control the passes. The castle is first mentioned in 1458 and today is in ruins. At one time there was a settlement at Ussers Gründ which was destroyed by a landslide. Originally Gsteig was part of the district and parish of Saanen. The village church of St. Theodul was consecrated in 1453. It became a filial church of Saanen in 1500. In the early 16th century, Bern adopted the new faith of the Protestant Reformation, however Gsteig did not convert until 1556.

Traditionally the villagers practiced seasonal alpine herding and farming and made a little money off trade over the passes. Beginning around 1900, tourism became a major part of the local economy. Today there are several hotels and a number of vacation homes in the municipality. Tourist sites include the Diablerets Glacier, the castle ruins, the Arnensee and the nature preserve at Oldenhorn.

Gsteig bei Gstaad has an area of 62.44 km² (24.11 sq mi). As of 2012, a total of 23.16 km² (8.94 sq mi) or 37.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while 22.6 km² (8.7 sq mi) or 36.2% is forested. The rest of the municipality is 0.86 km² (0.33 sq mi) or 1.4% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.78 km² (0.30 sq mi) or 1.2% is either rivers or lakes and 15.01 km² (5.80 sq mi) or 24.0% is unproductive land.

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Wikipedia