Page 123 - DIVA_MY WORKS 1918-2022

International International
Wiesen Viaduct painting
by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner Brücke

The highest Rbh pass, UNESCO heritage Red trains of the UNESCO heritage line

“It was considered to be a visible from the train, but it’s worth a journey or go down to the bottom of the gorge and “The experience is extraordinary,
challenging architectural feat of its to discover this magnificent icon up close and walk in the direction of Landwasser viaduct (it and the views are breath-taking
might be challenging, but a feasible walk, and
personal. The best way to see it will be to depart
era, and its construction employed the train at Filsur and to go to one of the four difficult to describe what extraordinary views – palms, tropics and snowy peaks,
you will see). It is 88,9 metres high and 210
viewpoints, and to wait for the train to take a
several innovative techniques.” photo. The four viewpoints are – North and metres long. Its main span is 3.7 metres wide, the glaciers, all totally overwhelming
South (the beginning and the end of viaduct), but also 55 metres long, which makes it one of one’s imagination.”
the bottom – near the river, from the front the longest main spans of any masonry bridge.
side, and far away from the back side. All four To the west of the main span are two arches,
the last century, and even walk over to them. are indeed breath-taking. The paths to the each 20 metres long, while east of the main
This is what we did to tell you this story. viewpoints are not easy, and will require some span are four more arches, each of them also
physical preparation, but the panorama views 20 metres. Those combine to make the Wiesen of the Engadine. This is why the surrounding
Landwasser viaduct – world viaduct icon are rewarding and worth the journey. Viaduct, the RhR’s largest stone bridge, while landscape forms part of the UNESCO World
This viaduct was constructed between 1901 also being RhR’s highest bridge. Heritage site too, along with the railway itself.
and 1902 by Müller & Zeerleder, on behalf Wiesen viaduct And if you decide to live your dream on
of the Rhb. The viaduct stands at 65 meters This viaduct is not in the itinerary of the In 1926, the viaduct was the inspiration for board any of the trains of Rhaetian Railway
high and 136 meters long, standing as a six- Bernina express, nor Glacier express, that the famous Swiss painter Enrnst Ludwiz (Bernina Express or any other RhB train), you
arched curved limestone railway viaduct that is why it is the less “visited” viaduct. Those Kurchneg’s painting, Brücke bei Wiesen. will definitely pass by Chur, this is the knot
spans 20 metres in width, resting on five high who spent time in Davos were maybe curious There are other smaller, but not less of the RhB, the city of red trains and RhB
pillars. The Landwasser Viaduct carries a to take the “Crocodile train” to explore the spectacular viaducts (Solis, Schmittentobel, headquarters. This is also on eof the older
single railway track, which has a gradient of 2 gorges. But they could have missed this giant Rignux, Albula I, II, III, IV Viaducts etc.), 55 cities of Switzerland, with archaeological
percent across the structure. The southeastern viaduct as it is not that visible from the train. total viaducts and 130 tunnels in the Albula evidence of a settlement at the site, tracing
abutment of the Landwasser Viaduct is located The best way to see it will be to take the train area alone. back as far as 3900-3500 BC. Celts, Romans,
on a high cliff, and at that point, the tracks lead one stop from Filsur, in the direction of Davos, Ostrogoths, Franks – all ruled Chur, the
directly into the 216-metre long Landwasser and get out there (attention: the stop is called Living a dream gateway to important trade routes and alpine
Tunnel. The tunnel’s entrance is positioned on Wieser and is on request!). From the station, To travel on Bernina/Albula lines is as if you’re passes, at one time or another, seeing different
a vertical rock wall, having been purposefully you go back 300 meters and you can actually living a dream. The experience is extraordinary, historical personalities (from French Emperor
aligned with the viaduct. It was considered to walk this viaduct. It looks adventurous, but and the views are breath-taking – palms, Napoleon to Russian Empire General Suworow,
be a challenging architectural feat of its era, and indeed, it is very safe. On the other side of tropics and snowy peaks, the glaciers, all and many more historical figures, royalty and
its construction employed several innovative viaduct there is a viewpoint, where you can totally overwhelming one’s imagination. The celebrities). But this will be a totally different
techniques. It fascinated film producers, and take a beautiful photo with the train. Check Bernina line crosses very different climatic story. Read about historical passes in the Swiss
appeared in the films “Anastasia” and “A Cure the itinerary to catch it ! zones, landscapes, and cultural and linguistic Alps through the worlds personalities in our
for Wellness”, while also appearing over one areas. The Bernina Hospice, for example, next edition!
million times on postal stamps, thus giving If you are full of adventure – you can then marks the linguistic boundary between Italian
it the iconic national pride it receives. It is walk the whole way back to Filsur (1,5 hours), (to the south) and the German and Romansh

w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h w w w. d i va i n t e r n at i o n a l . c h