Gotthard Tunnel, Railway tunnel between Göschenen and Airolo, Switzerland
The 15-kilometer railway tunnel penetrates the Saint-Gotthard Massif, connecting the German-speaking and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland through the Alps.
Construction of the tunnel started in 1872 using innovative dynamite and mechanized boring machines, marking the first passage through the Saint-Gotthard Massif.
A memorial relief titled 'Vittime del lavoro' stands near Airolo station, commemorating the workers who died during the construction phase.
The journey through the tunnel takes approximately eight minutes by train, serving both passenger and freight traffic between northern and southern Switzerland.
During construction, workers faced a hookworm epidemic, which led to advancements in medical parasitology research and treatment methods.
Location: Canton of Uri
Location: Göschenen
Location: Canton of Ticino
Location: Airolo
Inception: May 22, 1882
Official opening: 1881
GPS coordinates: 46.52900,8.60260
Latest update: September 24, 2025 10:23
National Redoubt
1 km
Festungsgebiet Gotthard
4.6 km
Forte Airolo
1 km
Sasso da Pigna
4.3 km
Motto Bartola
1.3 km
Lago Ritom
6.7 km
Lago di Lucendro
5.9 km
Lago del Narèt
6.3 km
Artilleriewerk Foppa Grande
1.6 km
Forte Ospizio San Gottardo
4 km
AW San Carlo
5.2 km
Ritom power plant
5.8 km
Pizzo Centrale
5.6 km
Ritom funicular
5.7 km
Lago della Sella
3.9 km
Kraftwerk Airolo
463 m
Il Madone
5.3 km
Ospizio del San Gottardo
4 km
Pizzo Lucendro
6.5 km
Giübin
4.6 km
Poncione di Vespero
3.7 km
Saint Gotthard national museum
4 km
Monumento alle vittime del lavoro
435 m
Chiesa Santi Nazario e Celso
474 m
Sasso San Gottardo
4.3 km
Rossi House
5.2 km
Insediamento preistorico sul Passo del San Gottardo (Alpe die Rodont)
6.1 km
Funicolare Piotta–Ritom
5.7 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes