Which famous Alpine peak rises above Zermatt, Switzerland?

Which famous Alpine peak rises above Zermatt, Switzerland? The answer is the Matterhorn.

The Matterhorn stands on the Swiss-Italian border in the Pennine Alps, overlooking Zermatt on its northeastern side and Breuil-Cervinia in Italy to the south. Its sharply pointed, near-symmetrical pyramid rises to 4,478 metres and has become one of Switzerland’s most recognizable symbols.

The mountain has four steep faces separated by prominent ridges. Its first recorded ascent took place on July 14, 1865, led by Edward Whymper. The climb ended tragically when four members of the seven-person party died during the descent, helping make the Matterhorn part of mountaineering history.

A common mix-up is confusing it with the Weisshorn, Jungfrau, or Eiger. Those are also famous Swiss peaks, but the Matterhorn is the distinctive pyramid directly associated with Zermatt. The name means “peak in the meadows” in German, while the Italian name is Cervino and the French name is Mont Cervin.