Frühstück beim Skywalk, © Franz Zwickl

UNESCO World Heritage Semmering Railway

Historical sites

Description

In the first decades of the 19th century, no one thought that a train could cross the Semmering. But then Carl Ritter von Ghega came along and proved all the doubters wrong. With the help of 10,000 men and women, he created a technical masterpiecebetween 1848 and 1854: the Semmering Railway. The railroad line from Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag climbs a total of 459 meters in altitude, passes over 100 arched bridges, 16 viaducts and through 15 tunnels. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These excursions around the Semmering Railway are especially recommended:

  • Bahnwanderweg: Hiking along the railroad line, past the imposing buildings of the 19th century. The most beautiful Bahnwanderweg routes.
  • 20-Schilling-Blick: From the 20-schilling view, you have a particularly beautiful view of the Schwarza viaduct - and exactly the one that was also on the back of the 20-schilling banknote until 1968.
  • Hochstraßenmuseum: In this open-air museum (LINK: Hochstraßenmuseum excursion destination) with 10 showcases along the rail trail, you can learn the most important facts about villa construction in the area. With the completion of the Semmering Railway, more and more people from the Viennese high society came to spend their summer holidays on the Semmering.
  • More about the history of the railroad: Visitors can learn more about the history of the Semmering Railway at the Ghega Museum and the World Heritage Information Center.

Suitability

  • Suitable for bad weather
Location
  • Can be reached with public transportation

Location and how to get there