The villages of Göschenen and Wassen and the Gotthardpass

6 December 2019

The mountain village of Göschenen and Wassen on the Gotthard Route made history when it constructed the world’s longest railway tunnel. From the 13th century onwards, the mule track on the St. Gotthard developed into one of the most essential European Alpine roads through the railway and later the motorway.

This history began around 1220-1230. The cantons in Central Switzerland built a road over the Gotthard. The Gotthard Pass became a connection between Italy and northern Europe.

The village of Göschenen was a resting place for travellers and their horses. The village with a few hundred inhabitants grew after 1872 to a little town with more than 3,000 inhabitants. The first hotels were built in this period.

The railway tunnel was built between 1872 and 1882. Many foreign (mainly Italian) workers emigrated to Switzerland for work. Many stayed forever.

A regular coach service to Andermatt began after 1882. The famous Postauto later continued this service.

(Source and further information: www.goeschenen.ch)