A journey 100 years in the making
Amden, tucked away on a high terrace above Lake Wallen in eastern Switzerland, is planning a big adventure to celebrate 100 years as a popular tourist resort.
On June 9, a group of Amden’s townsfolk will dress up in traditional costume and make their way from Rapperswil on Lake Zurich to their hometown in Heidiland.
But this is no ordinary journey: all cars, motorbikes and roller-blades will be left at home as the travellers embark upon a day-long trip back in time with the help of steam trains and old-fashioned buses.
Their journey begins in Rapperswil, some 26 kilometres from Amden as the crow flies. The day kicks off with a tour of the town, where the revellers, dressed in 19th-century attire, will hand out 1,000 free passes for a scenic chairlift ride above Amden.
The aim is to draw attention to Amden’s historical importance as a health resort, where people went to “take the water”, which runs into the town direct from its source.
After Rapperswil, it’s “all aboard” a steam train headed for Weesen, taking a scenic route through the small communities of Blumenau, Bollingen and Benken, to name but a few.
The first leg of the journey ends in the village of Bruggacker, where the travellers will be welcomed by numerous street entertainers. After raising a glass to toast their tourism jubilee in the main square the journey will continue.
For the second leg, the travellers will say goodbye to steam power and turn to a more ancient means of transport; their own feet. They will parade through the streets of Bruggacker carrying a mystery guest in a Sedan chair before boarding an old-fashioned bus to end their 12-hour expedition.
The final destination is Arvenbühl, where the nostalgic party will arrive to great fanfare, provided by Amden’s music society and a feast fit for a king, laid on by the hotel Arvenbühl.
After an afternoon of partying, it’s home to bed and another 100 years till the next jubilee journey.
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