Through and over the Gotthard
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No entry: a tunnel guard at the north entrance in Göschenen, 1937. Keystone -
The famous hairpin bends, built in 1830, winding through the Tremola gorge on the Ticino side, 1947. RDB -
Stretching their legs at the top of the Gotthard Pass, 1969. Keystone -
Miners working on the Gotthard road tunnel, 1970. Keystone -
A railworker cleaning up after an avalanche, 1944. RDB -
The Tremola section of the Gotthard Pass at night, 1964. RDB -
Holidaymakers trying to get home, heading north, at the Schöllenen gorge, 1969. Keystone -
A tunnel inspection carriage belonging to the Swiss Federal Railways, 1942. Keystone -
Building the N2 Gotthard-Chiasso motorway at Melide in southern Ticino, 1963. RDB -
Blessing the new Gotthard train "Schwyz", 1955. RDB
Today you can drive through the Gotthard tunnel at around 80km/h, but going south – or north – before the tunnel was built was a real test of patience. That said, travelling by train wasn’t always without problems.
This content was published on June 24, 2012 - 11:00
Since the Gotthard tunnel opened in 1882, roads and railways have competed against each other at the Gotthard. In 1980, the Gotthard road tunnel was opened, giving people direct access to the “other side”. While a new rail tunnel is currently being built, a fierce debate has erupted over the construction of a second road tunnel. (Images: Keystone)
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