The History of "Löwen"
The exact date of the construction of the guesthouser on the "Joch," house number 6, cannot be precisely determined.
The village of Vorderjoch (as Oberjoch was called back then) was first mentioned in the year 1479 with 10 houses. One of these houses was the future Löwen Guesthous. Detailed information about an inn in Vorderjoch only goes back to 1750. It is quite certain that the inn was built at the beginning of the salt transports and the first construction of a Joch road in the years 1540-1550.
The salt carriages, coming from Tyrol or Hindelang, needed a rest, and besides providing food and water for the animals, the teamsters also needed a snack and a cool drink. In family ownership since 1897
Seit 1897 im Familienbesitz
On May 12, 1897, the farmer Lorenz Fink bought the property in Oberjoch No. 6 with a bowling alley, municipal rights, and some plots of land from Anton Beẞler from Hindelang for 17,500 MARK. At that time, farming was practiced, but there was already a tavern in the house for beer and spirits, as well as a small shop and a bakery. It was a proper "general store" where you could buy just about everything needed for daily use in the remote village. For example, there were spices, chicory, candles, wagon grease, whip cords, kerosene, soap, and much more.
In 1901, the son Konrad Fink took over the property, which he eventually handed over to his sister Josefa Fink in 1913. She married the economist and innkeeper Theodor Brutscher from Unterjoch in the same year - and since then, the name Brutscher has been firmly associated with the Löwen. In 1935, the operation was handed over to the only son, Konrad Brutscher. With his wife Therese, they gave up the shop and agriculture after World War II and focused primarily on gastronomy. The operation was repeatedly expanded and modernized to meet the demands of the time.
After the death of Löwn landlady Therese Brutscher on May 10, 1972, the property was passed on to the next generation, Konrad Brutscher Jr., and his wife Evi. Since 1988, the fifth generation has been working with son Stefan. After the death of Konrad Brutscher on January 25, 2010, his wife Evi continued to run the Löwen as a sole proprietor with the support of her children and daughter-in-law Alexandra. In 2016, the business was handed over to Stefan Brutscher.
Renovations and Extensions
About 10 meters east of the house, there was a freestanding veranda hall (Salette) and a bowling alley, both of which were demolished in 1936. At this location, the old tavern was expanded to the east with dining rooms, a terrace, and guest rooms on the upper floor.
1958 the extensive agricultural part was demolished, and in the same place, the new west wing was built with a dining room for house guests and additional guest rooms.
1964 another extension was made on the south side of the dining room.
1969 an extension was made to the east, where the wine tavern and a bar were created.
1972 the rooms on the second floor of the east building were equipped with showers/baths and toilets.
1975 the kitchen was demolished and rebuilt.
1976 the rooms on the first floor of the east building were equipped with showers/baths and toilets.
1978 a spacious, paved parking lot was created west of the alpine inn.
1984 all rooms in the west building were modernized and equipped with showers/toilets.
1989 the toilets in the restaurant were renovated to today's standards.
1997 on time for the 100th anniversary, the largest chunk came: The central building was completely demolished except for the old farmhouse, and a new building was erected, creating additional guest rooms and a wellness area. At the same time, the old breakfast room on the ground floor of the west part was transformed into a hotel hall with a bar and a cozy fireplace room. The bar, kitchen, and reception were also modernized.
2000 the village room (former hall) was redesigned.
2005 all flat roof terraces were sealed.
2013 a pellet heating system was installed (pellet plant).
2015 all guest rooms in the west building were modernized with a redesign of the bathrooms.
2020 the bathrooms in the central tract were redesigned, replacing bathtubs with walk-in showers. Construction of a hillside garage with 7 parking spaces and a lockable bicycle room.
2021 the former wine tavern was redesigned and renewed as "Salettle."
2022 the Iseler rooms were redesigned. Purchase of ski boot warmers in the shoe room.
2023 modernization of all rooms in the east building from 1936 with new water and sewage lines in the bathrooms, window replacement, insulation of the outer walls, and a new shingle facade.
... and we're never done ;)
The "Löwen" over time
