visucom.com Photos: T. Andenmatten, H. Baumann, R. Bösch, P. Donatsch, T. Keller, J. Kugler, T. Mohr, Photo Klopfenstein Mohr, T. Kugler, J. Keller, T. Donatsch, P. Bösch, R. Baumann, H. Andenmatten, T. Photos: It isn’t just a train. It’s an adventure – The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. The Alpine adventure railway Matterhorn Gotthard Railway Nordstrasse 20, CH-3900 Brig. Telephone ++41 (0)27 927 77 77, Fax ++41 (0)27 927 77 79. www.mgbahn.ch, [email protected] The bridge-builder . The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway has 126 bridges to call its own: bridges social terms. In return, travellers learnt to appreciate the local way of life, its culture across craggy ravines and rushing mountain torrents; bridges which connect. The and traditions. This mutual exchange between peoples is without doubt one of the Valais, Uri and Grisons have relied upon links with the outside world since time most important achievements of tourism. It’s an achievement well worth nurturing immemorial. In 1926, when the railway line through the Valais – Uri – Grisons throughout the network and on the tracks. This tradition of exchange unites us regions was built, and in 1930, when the Glacier Express was opened, a new era with the rest of the world and with you. began for these hitherto remote mountain regions: the era of modern tourism. International travellers not only brought an economic boom to the mountain villages and valley communities, but also a breath of fresh air in cultural and A tie with tradition, a link with the world. Communicating with nature . In whatever guise it takes, whether in the frivolously elegant style of the 20s world . Our Alpine railway takes her time so that her guests can savour such or today’s fashionably functional simplicity, appearance is never an idle end in beauty to the full in total comfort. And this is the best way! She seems to cry itself. Everything about the railway is designed to open up the beauty of the land- out: “Just look at this!” as she emerges from one of the 33 tunnels into magical scape to its passengers. The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway plies its dignified way worlds flooded with light, crosses awesome gorges and passes secluded moun- in a leisurely fashion through the Alpine world between Zermatt and Disentis, tain lakes. It’s as if she’s joined forces with nature – cautious, respectful and justi- and from Andermatt to Göschenen. Nature gives a powerful performance along fiably proud. about 144 metres of track at more than 3300 metres of altitude. This scenery of mighty mountains, natural valleys and icy grey glaciers is totally unique in the To be at one with nature is to obey her rules. The thirst for adventure . Train travel is not for those who like an uneventful life – at least, not on our of the local culinary delicacies, or making an overnight stop in one of the many trains. Climb aboard the legendary Glacier Express, for example, to experience delightful holiday resorts. For us, rail travel is far more than just a form of transport. the picture-book prettiness of an authentic piece of Switzerland. The journey lasts It’s the comfortable transition from one dimension to another, full of exciting new seven and a half hours across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and across the surprises. Travel broadens the mind; travel unites . and the Matterhorn Gotthard 2033 m-high Oberalp Pass from St. Moritz to Zermatt – or vice versa. Seven and Railway makes its contribution with joy. a half hours, which become etched into your memory to be savoured like a fine wine, and recalled at any time by a certain light, or an unusual rock formation. You can enhance this unique journey through the Swiss Alps by savouring some Thirsty for adventure? It will be our pleasure to take you there! The world traveller . The route of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway through the Alps is lined with area of Switzerland between Zermatt and Disentis lies far beyond the superlatives unique, spectacular features of world renown: the charismatic four-thousand-metre attributed to its natural scenery and its prominence in international guidebooks. It peaks, which will continue to hold man under their spell as long as the earth turns. lies in its authenticity and character; in every landscape stamped by the people who Landscapes like the Aletsch, a UNESCO world natural heritage site, have retained live from it and in it. The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway introduces the Alps to the their original beauty untouched by the passage of time – and civilisation! A wealth wider world whilst never losing sight of its very essence: the communion between of culture and tradition bears testimony to local beliefs and lives lived in close com- man and nature. munion with nature. But this is no nostalgic journey through a past preserved in museum-like conditions. Quite the opposite. The unbroken attraction of this small He who travels the world discovers many worlds. Communicating culture . What do the striking Hospental Tower (12th century), the Brig Stockalper Palace It remains well-preserved despite its exposed position. But something else links in the Upper Valais (17th century) and the venerable monastery in Disentis (720 AD) these three proud monuments, still so much a part of the Swiss landscape – the have in common? All bear witness to the turbulent course of Swiss history. Although Matterhorn Gotthard Railway. This railway sympathetically opens up the Alpine built in different eras and regions, they are linked by many factors. The monastery region and its culture with all its variety, history and living present. Take a trip in the Grisons village of Disentis was the feudal overlord of the Urs valley from the aboard the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway and experience something very special early middle ages, and pushed ahead with the settlement of the valley, mainly by and unique. German-speakers from the Upper Valais. Hospental Castle was built to house the servants of the monastery and the four-storey lodgings tower was a later addition. Culture is the highest form of expression of a people’s character. A uniting force . Apparent contradictions effortlessly united: nostalgia and an awareness of ties – and range of activities on offer – are endless. For the Matterhorn Gotthard tradition on the one hand; “trendiness” and dynamism on the other, but never Railway is not just a train: it’s an experience. It does its very best to fulfil your at the expense of core values: quality, safety and reliability. Contradictory? Not dreams – and even to anticipate them. The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway unites at all! The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway confidently slips from one role to another, regions and peoples: it’s a trend-setter with its roots firmly steeped in tradition. depending on the spirit of the times: today glamorous beauty in the style of the It’s an adventure. 20’s, tomorrow the expert travel guide or sporting ace seeking adventure. The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway provides whatever her passengers desire: nature and adventure; sport and culture; pleasure and communication . the possibili- Setting trends lies in our tradition. The sporting ace . Once you’ve travelled aboard the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway to Zermatt and into silent glacier ravines or race down to the valley on a mountain bike just for then onwards aboard the rack railway up the 3089 m-high Gornergrat to glimpse the sheer joy of it; to rest beside rushing mountain torrents or enjoy a little stroke eternity amidst the 29 four-thousand-metre peaks; once you’ve spread your arms play on a golf course high in the mountains; to stretch out in the warm bubbling over the Aletsch Glacier in imagined flight and been totally captivated by the glorious waters of thermal springs; trek along ancient trails; glide across powdery white pistes colours of spring in the mountains of the Urs Valley; and once you’ve fallen under with the sun warm on your back, or float silently to freedom down winding tobog- the spell of the sparkling winter splendour of the Grisons, then you will know what gan runs: the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway will take you wherever you want to go. it’s like to experience this unique landscape with every fibre of your body and with all your senses. To climb the highest peak and touch the sky just once; to gaze down “No Sports“: Even Churchill was left speechless by the Aletsch Glacier. Interesting facts The Matterhorn Gotthard Railway, Goms and the Aletsch (listed in 2003 bistro, kiosk, grocery store and shops future. Visp is entering a new age: Facts & Figures created in 2003 by a merger between as a UNESCO world natural heritage offer a friendly, colourful environment with the commissioning of the new Line: Zermatt–Visp–Brig–Andermatt/Göschenen–Disentis the Brig-Visp-Zermatt Railway (BVZ) site) to Andermatt, Sedrun and Disen- guaranteed to keep you in a holiday Lötschberg line in December 2007, Line network: 144 km and the Furka-Oberalp-Railway (FO), tis. All holiday resorts on the route mood. Visp will become an important and Highest point: Oberalp Pass 2033 m offers a wide range of services: it’s of the Matterhorn Gotthard Railway Use the railway for convenient modern transfer station. The opening Lowest point: Visp 650 m an adventure railway; a link to tourist offer a rich variety of summer and transfers between private and of Lötschberg base tunnel will take Number of bridges: 126 destinations in the cantons of the winter packages: from hiking, biking, public transportation. up to 70 minutes off the journey time Grisons, Uri and Valais; a freight and mountain climbing, golf, skiing, and from Basle or Zurich to Visp.