Blatten was first mentioned in 1231 as Platon. The village lies at an altitude of 1,327 metres above sea level and is a hamlet of the municipality of Naters. Naters is the municipality with the greatest difference in altitude in Switzerland and extends from 673 metres above sea level to 4,195 metres above sea level.
In the course of the 15th century, the Geteilschaften and the Geschnitte in the Natischerberg merged to form the Gumperschaft (municipality) of Rischinen. This comprised the hamlets above the Hegdorf water pipeline. As these small hamlets formed their own community, it can be assumed that they were inhabited all year round.
Rischinen was the political and Blatten the ecclesiastical centre of the Gumperschaft. At the beginning of the 17th century, the Gumperschaften Naters and Rischinen merged.
Group of houses with fountain
The group of houses on Kapellenweg is a typical site in old Blatten. These houses were built from larch wood in the 17th century.
Theoduls Chapel
The Theoduls Chapel was first mentioned in 1480 and Blatten became the ecclesiastical centre of the Natischerberg. In the middle of the 17th century, the formerly north-south orientated chapel was turned to the east (like all Catholic churches and chapels) and enlarged.
Chaplain's house
The chaplain's house, which also stands on the picturesque Kapellenplatz square, was built in the middle of the 17th century by Chaplain Berchtold.
Backhaus Wichje
In the past, grain, mostly rye, was planted throughout the Natischerberg. The Wichje bakery in Blatten was built at the beginning of the 20th century and was actively used until the 1950s. Due to social and technical developments, demand fell drastically and the bakery was closed down. In 1989, the municipality bought a bakery and founded the "Bachhüs Wichje" cooperative. Guided tours and baking days are offered for those interested.
Largest granary in Blatten
The largest granary in Blatten is located in the "Ännerblatt". The granaries were used as storage rooms and were built on pillars with round slabs so that the supplies were not eaten by vermin.
