In his time, Felix Mendelssohn was regarded as a child prodigy with a gift for language and the world. He studied poetry, classical philology and theology and caused a sensation with his compositions at the age of nine. As a pianist, he was known for his improvisational skills.
On one of his hikes, from Interlaken via the Lauterbrunnen Valley to Wengen, he was enchanted by the Jungfrau. On Sunday, August 21, 1842, he spontaneously drew a historical sketch of the Jungfrau massif in Wengen. There are three Mendelssohn productions in Wengen in honor of this great artist: The Mendelssohn Music Week, the Mendelssohn Memorial and the Mendelssohn Trail.
Mendelssohn Music Week
The Mendelssohn Music Week took place for the first time in 2005. The Mendelssohn Music Week always takes place in the week in which August 21 occurs. There are 6 top-class concerts by international classical artists to enjoy.
Mendelssohn Memorial
The Mendelssohn memorial is located in the upper part of the village of Wengen. It takes about 20 minutes on foot. Felix Mendelssohn made a historical sketch of the Jungfrau massif at this exact spot on Sunday, August 21, 1842. This sketch is the earliest uncolored drawing of Wengen. The path to the memorial is closed in winter due to the risk of avalanches.
Mendelssohn Trail
Felix Mendelssohn's diary reveals many unique experiences in the Jungfrau Region and in Wengen in particular. It describes a hike to the Wengernalp. Felix Mendelssohn's hike was recreated on the basis of the diary. The hike first leads from Wengen to Innerwengen. Innerwengen was the center of Wengen at that time. It continues along a forest path to the Staldenfluh. From Staldenfluh, a forest path leads to Mettlenalp and from there up to Wengernalp, where Felix Mendelssohn described his experiences. The hiking trail is closed in winter due to the risk of avalanches and ice.