The Landwasser Viaduct is a historic, single-track limestone railway viaduct in Switzerland, famous for its dramatic curved approach and direct connection to a tunnel. It carries the Albula/Bernina line of the Rhaetian Railway between Filisur and Schmitten, near Tiefencastel in Graubünden. The structure rises about 65 meters above the Landwasser valley and spans roughly 136–142 meters in length with six arches supported by five piers, and it was completed in 1902 after construction began in 1901. The viaduct is used by passenger services such as the Bernina Express, and its striking curve was designed to integrate with the Landwasser Tunnel, creating the well-known visual where the tracks seem to vanish into the mountainside.
Key facts
- Location: Landwasser valley, Graubünden, Switzerland
- Structure: Six-arch limestone viaduct, single track
- Dimensions: Approximately 65 m high; about 136–142 m long; arch spans around 20 m each
- Construction: Initiated March 1901; opened October 1902; designed by Alexander Acatos; built by Müller & Zeerleder
- Materials: Dolomitic limestone; masonry with steel-reinforced core
- Operational note: Connects directly to the Landwasser Tunnel at the southeastern end; part of the Albula line operated by Rhaetian Railway
Historical and visitor context
- The Landwasser Viaduct is widely regarded as an emblem of Swiss engineering and Alpine railway architecture, frequently featured in photography and tourism materials.
- It remains in active service, with regular passenger traffic, including scenic routes such as the Bernina Express on the Albula line segment between Thusis and St. Moritz.
- There are designated viewpoints and hiking or train-watching routes nearby for visitors who wish to observe the viaduct from unique angles.
If you’d like, I can tailor this into a concise summary for a travel guide, or provide a comparison with other notable Swiss viaducts.
