St. Anthony's Chapel Birchen

The chapel on the old Gemmiweg is dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua and was first mentioned in 1705. The small hamlet of Birchen is surrounded by meadows with a beautiful view of the Balmhorn (3,698 meters) above Leukerbad.

This chapel is mentioned for the first time in 1705. It is dedicated to St. Saint Anthony of Padua. It has been of great importance to the people of Leukerbad since January 17, 1719. At that time, a massive avalanche swept the village of Leukerbad and killed 55 people. Since then, January 17, which is the feast day of St. Anthony of Egypt is local holiday.
Although the Birchen chapel is dedicated to another saint (namely St. Anthony of Padua), many residents of the spa village make a pilgrimage to Birchen on January 17 to commemorate the avalanche event and ask for protection from avalanche dangers.

Nearby there is a small bar with delicious homemade iced tea.