Jungfrau, Alpine summit in Bernese Alps, Switzerland
Jungfrau is a summit in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland that rises to 4,158 meters (13,642 feet) and forms a massive wall of sedimentary rock. Together with Eiger and Mönch, this peak shapes the skyline of the Bernese Oberland and towers over the valleys of Lauterbrunnen and Fieschertal.
The Meyer brothers reached the summit with two chamois hunters on August 3, 1811, completing the first documented ascent. Construction of the railway began in 1896 and reached the highest station in Europe by 1912, carved into the mountain.
The name means maiden and dates back to a time when the summit was thought to be impossible to reach. Today travelers can ride a railway that runs through the interior of neighboring peaks, providing direct access to the high mountain world.
The journey from Grindelwald Terminal to the station takes about 45 minutes by gondola. Viewing platforms at 3,454 meters (11,332 feet) are accessible year-round, though warm clothing is essential during winter months.
The mountain sits within the Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage site, which includes the longest glacier in the Alps. On clear days, views from the station extend as far as the Vosges in France.
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