![The National Park in Val Trupchun, September 2019.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/der-nationalpark-im-val-trupchun-september-2019-300x225.jpg)
The birth of the Swiss National Park
Around 150 years ago, things were looking grim for Switzerland’s flora and fauna. Then two Basel academics seized the initiative, and set about bringing to life their vision of an unspoiled, primordial landscape in the Engadin. In 1914, the first national park in Central Europe was opened in the Val Cluozza.
![The Pierre des Marmettes at Monthey, 1930.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/der-pierre-des-marmettes-bei-monthey-1930-300x227.jpg)
![In 1924 a landslide destroyed part of the village of Someo in Valle Maggia. The frequent landslides in Ticino are a result of the large-scale deforestation for the wood trade during the 19th century.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/someo-erdrutsch-eth-300x216.jpg)
![Yellowstone National Park was the world’s first national park. Illustration from 1904.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/yeloowstone-300x181.jpg)
![Portrait of Steivan Brunies, ca. 1930.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/steivan-brunies-225x300.jpg)
![Portrait of Paul Sarasin, ca. 1920.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/paul-sarasin-225x300.jpg)
![The illustrated guide dating from 1942 was intended to be “our companion on long winter evenings when we dream of hiking”, encouraging and nurturing a love of nature among the Swiss public.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/nationalparkfuhrer-204x300.jpg)
![Map of the National Park ca. 1927.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/karte-nationalpark-1927-300x225.jpg)
![Map of the National Park today.](https://blog.nationalmuseum.ch/app/uploads/karte-nationalpark-2022-300x225.jpg)