Gonzen, Mountain summit in canton St. Gallen, Switzerland.
Gonzen is a summit in the Appenzell Alps in canton St. Gallen, sitting at the southeastern end of the Alvier group above the Sargans valley. The mountain reaches 1,830 meters (6,000 ft) and is listed as a class A Swiss cultural property of national importance.
Iron ore was mined at Gonzen for several centuries, making the mountain a working site long before it became a hiking destination. Mining operations continued into the 20th century before finally coming to an end.
The slopes of Gonzen still show the marks of old mining work, with tunnel entrances and waste heaps visible along the paths. Walkers moving through this area can read the landscape as a record of how people once worked the mountain.
Gonzen is reached on foot by several trails, with the northern approach being the most direct route to the top. Sturdy footwear and a reasonable level of fitness are recommended for the climb.
Although many people associate Swiss cultural properties with buildings or monuments, Gonzen holds this status because of its underground mining network preserved inside the rock. The tunnels and workings within the mountain are what earned it a place on the national heritage list.
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