Landwasser Viaduct, Railway bridge in Filisur, Switzerland
The Landwasser Viaduct is a stone railway bridge with six arches that spans across a valley and rises about 65 meters above the ground. The bridge carries a single train track and leads directly into a mountain tunnel cut through the cliff face.
The bridge was built between 1899 and 1902 and was a bold engineering achievement for mountainous terrain at that time. Engineers found creative ways to use large cranes instead of traditional scaffolding to overcome the difficult landscape.
The viaduct is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rhaetian Railway and represents Swiss engineering excellence in mountain railway construction. Visitors can see the technical skill that was needed to safely carry trains across this valley.
The best views are from the hiking trails around the valley, where you can see the bridge from different angles and perspectives. Come early in the day since trains pass several times daily and the light is best for photographs in the morning.
The bridge has a noticeably sharp curve with a radius of about 100 meters that carries the train in a single flowing arc directly into the mountain. This sweeping shape lets the train glide smoothly from the viaduct into the tunnel, making the ride feel particularly elegant.
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