Nestled high up in the Swiss Alps, between the Jungfrau and Mönch mountains, lies Jungfraujoch, a spectacular train station that looks like a supervillain’s secret base. At an altitude of almost 3,500 meters, Jungfraujoch is Europe’s highest train station and a marvel of human engineering that has been around for over a century.
In the late 19th century, the Swiss embarked on an ambitious project to build the Jungfraubahn, a steep railway through the Bernese Alps all the way to the ‘top of Europe’. The railway culminates in the Jungfraujoch station, perched on a rock between the Jungfrau and Mönch mountains, both of which soar over 4,000 meters. The project seemed impossible on paper, but hundreds of workers toiled away for 16 years, drilling through mountains and blowing tunnels up with dynamite. The railway was finally inaugurated in 1912, and it has been operating all year long ever since.
Today, Jungfraujoch is one of Switzerland’s most popular tourist attractions, and for good reason. Instead of braving the elements and the treacherous mountain terrain, visitors can take a leisurely train ride to the top of Europe and take in some of the world’s most amazing mountain vistas. The train journey itself is a marvel of engineering, with the railway zigzagging its way up the steep mountainside, through tunnels, over bridges, and past waterfalls.
Upon reaching Jungfraujoch, visitors are greeted with a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and alpine valleys. The station itself is a feat of engineering, with an underground complex that includes restaurants, shops, and even an ice palace. The ice palace is a highlight of the visit, with ice sculptures, a maze, and an ice slide that will thrill visitors of all ages.
While Jungfraujoch may look like a supervillain’s secret base, it is a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. The railway and the station stand as a symbol of Switzerland’s engineering prowess and its commitment to innovation. So, if you’re ever in Switzerland, don’t miss the chance to ride the Jungfraubahn to the top of Europe and experience the wonder of Jungfraujoch for yourself.