Beneath the unprepossessing glass dome of a former casino there's a remarkable underground museum that reveals the story of Switzerland's most photogenic mountain, from its dramatic first ascent by Edward Whymper in 1865 to how the tiny farming community of Zermatt became one of the world's most glamorous resorts. The museum is cleverly presented as an archeological dig, with ancient mountain huts conjuring up how people lived and worked in the 19th century—a time when there were no mountain railways or ski lifts. The museum also looks at the world of mountain guides, the first mountaineers, and the first tourists through an appealing range of films and multimedia and hands-on exhibits. There's also material on the various routes up the Matterhorn for the 3,000-plus alpinists who annually climb this iconic mountain. Allow 1–1 ½ hrs. visiting time.