The lake of the Schwarzsee (2,552 m) lies right at the foot of the Matterhorn. The Schwarzsee gondola station offers the finest view of the famous Hörnligrat ridge on the Matterhorn, the Hörnli hut and the village of Zermatt The surface of the Schwarzsee (“black lake”) is indeed often very dark, even black. Beside the lake, which lies in a small hollow, stands a chapel dedicated to “Maria zum Schnee” (“Our Lady of the Snows”). According to legend, the chapel has its origins in a promise. Two people from Zermatt had lost their way in the fog near the Theodul Pass. They pledged that if they were saved, they would build a chapel.way below.