Albula/Bernina UNESCO

Because of their exceptional global significance, the Rhaetian Railway and the Albula/Bernina landscape were admitted to the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in summer 2008. The Albula and Bernina sections between Thusis and Tirano are outstanding and technically innovative examples of providing access to high-Alpine regions and are among the most spectacular narrow- gauge railways in the world.

The Rhaetian Railway forms the backbone of the Albula/Bernina cultural landscape. The Albula Railway was completed in 1903, the Bernina Railway in 1910. From the time of its construction, the Albula Railway has been regarded as a masterpiece. The Bernina Railway (St. Moritz - Tirano) was the role model in the Alpine region for many of the overland railways planned and several of those constructed. Today it is unique worldwide: the section is Europe’s highest-altitude Alpine transit route and one of the world’s steepest adhesion railways.

The surrounding landscape also plays a part in the exceptional importance of the Albula and Bernina sections. On the one hand, harmony between landscape and railway is of an unparalleled quality, on the other, the route leads through an area with a rich cultural landscape.

More Information:
www.rhb-unesco.ch