photo : Habibah Agianda
In 1999 Graz was named a World Heritage site, but the year before on the nearby Semmering Pass (where a world breaking innovation was constructed in 1854) another UNESCO World Heritage site had been established.
World Class site
Semmering Railway has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998.
The Semmering Pass is a major link connecting Lower Austria and Styria, the mountain pass forming a natural border between the 2 Federal states. The Pass can be crossed by road or by the more impressive railway, which is considered the world’s first true mountain railway. Whereas other mountain railways are built as narrow gauge or rack and pinion, the Semmering railway is of standard gauge design.
Passing through enduring evidence of world class workmanship and outstanding natural beauty, Semmering Railway has truly earned its right to be considered a ‘world wonder’ and one of the many wonders of Steiermark. It was a daring project in its time, mixing the wonders of heavy industry with the natural landscape of the Austrian Alps.
Nowhere in Europe is there any greater example of the way in which man and nature can work together to create a synergy of such sizeable proportions – an enduring epitaph to an era of innovation, vision and determination.
The railway runs for 21km using some 42 km of track, from Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag and featuring many viaducts, bridges and tunnels. And all at around 898m above sea level!