Swiss Towns Face Months Without Sunlight
When days grow shorter and the cold sets in, many people take Vitamin D supplements to lift winter spirits or accept that work begins and ends in the dark. Now, imagine living in Oberterzen in Canton St. Gallen, where the town falls into shadow for two and a half months.
Oberterzen’s Sunless Months: November 21 to January 31, 2024
On November 21, Oberterzen bids farewell to sunlight until January 31, 2024. Oberterzen isn’t alone; Vicsoprano in Canton Graubünden and Bosco Gurin in Ticino share the same fate, spending 83 days in the shade.
Entire towns face darkness, and even parts of major cities endure prolonged shadows. Gils near Brig (Valais) has 78 days of shade, Hergiswil near Lake Lucerne (Nidwalden) experiences 81 days, and Emmetten residents go without sun for 106 days from October 30 to February 13.
Residents endure months without direct sunlight, leading to seasonal affective disorder and Vitamin D deficiency. This can result in fatigue, weight gain, and increased susceptibility to illnesses.
Why are so many Swiss towns in the shadows?
Switzerland’s geography, especially the Swiss Alps, plays a role. Winter sun often can’t reach these towns due to low angles and narrow valleys facing east to west, causing prolonged shadows.
For the curious, Nesslau in Canton St. Gallen boasts the shadowiest place – Schattenloch. From October 17 to February 26, it sees no sunlight for a staggering 132 days. However, it’s worth noting that no one resides in this shadow hole.
