unesco world heritage site - the rhaetian railway

unesco recently added twenty seven new sites to its list of protected world heritage sites. i’m going to have a look at a few of those sites over the next little while but today i’d like to share one in particular. the rhaetian railway in the albula/bernina landscapes. so if you’re like me you’re wondering where on earth you’d find something by that name and surprisingly enough when you check into it you’ll find that it’s in switzerland and italy! your next question might well be - and what is the rhaetian railway?

well, i think that these pictures tell the story better than i possibly could . . .
unesco describes these rail lines as “the most spectacular narrow gauge rail lines in the world”. as you can see, its design was very deliberately incorporated to the greatest degree possible into the natural landscape with the result being a visually stunning collection of precipice clinging viaducts and bridges. the rail line is the highest altitude transalpine railway in the world.

an all-too brief but absolutely stunning video of a train journey in engadin, switzerland can be viewed here . . . that wasn’t enough was it?! here’s some more . . .


an excellent and nicely organized photo essay with lots of detailed information can be viewed here. another incredible photo essay can be viewed here.

here’s more excellent information with links to cultural sites that are not related to the railway but incorporated into the “landscapes” element of the protected site.

unesco’s own homepage devoted to this extraordinary railway, provides all sorts of links to help the armchair or prospective traveller fully appreciate and enjoy this incredible melding of technology and culture.