The Matterhorn, behind the village of Zermatt, is probably Switzerland's most famous mountain. Matterhorn is its German name: it is known in French as Mont Cervin, and in Italian as Monte Cervino.
It was first climbed in 1865 by an English party headed by Edward Whymper. Although the entire party reached the summit, four members were killed on the descent. Only Whymper and the two Swiss guides survived.