Grande Dixence dam, Gravity dam in Hérémence, Switzerland
Description
Grande Dixence is a gravity dam standing 285 meters tall and stretching 700 meters across a Swiss mountain valley. It holds back approximately 400 million cubic meters of water in Lac des Dix and consists of a thick concrete structure built against the valley walls.
History
Construction started in 1953 and finished in 1961, with thousands of workers facing harsh conditions in the mountain environment. The project marked a major milestone in Switzerland's post-war hydroelectric development.
Culture
The dam holds status as a national cultural property and represents how Switzerland developed its mountain resources. It shapes the landscape and stands as a symbol of engineering capability in this Alpine region.
Practical
A cable car connects the parking area to the top in about five minutes. The location is high in the mountains, so weather can change quickly and visitors should check conditions before arriving.
Did you know?
Six climbing routes run along the concrete face, allowing experienced climbers to ascend the structure. These routes attract adventurous visitors seeking an unusual vantage point on this engineering work.
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Lac des Dix
2.7 km
4 Vallées
6.6 km
Mont Fort
6.6 km
Grande Dixence hydroelectric power plants
99 m
Grotte aux Fées
6.7 km
Bec des Rosses
8.2 km
Rosablanche
4.4 km
Cleuson Lake
7.1 km
Le Parrain
5.6 km
Lac Bleu
6.8 km
Le Pleureur
7.6 km
Aiguilles Rouges d'Arolla
3.6 km
La Luette
7.9 km
Cheilon Glacier
7.8 km
La Sâle
6.8 km
Pointe de Vouasson
1.9 km
Palanche de la Cretta
4.9 km
Refuge Igloo des Pantalons Blancs
5.2 km
Chapelle Notre-Dame
7.8 km
Chapelle Saint-Barthélémy
3.6 km
Cemetery, Chapel St-Théodule and St-Sébastien
8.1 km
Maison d'habitation, Les Haudères
7.2 km
Alpage d'Essertse
7.6 km
Musée d'Evolène
8 km
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
8 km
Alpage de Louvie
8 km
St-Laurent chapel
7.3 km
Les Haudères, usine hydraulique Jean Rong-Rieder
8 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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