Switzerland's Cultural Landscape: Prehistoric Lake Dwellers and Stunning Railway Journeys

150 years ago workers building a harbor on Lake Zurich accidentally discovered the first Swiss prehistoric lakeside settlement. Once archaeologists got used to looking underwater in Switzerland, they found so many similar villages that the legend of the pile-dwellers was destined to become part of the Swiss cultural identity. Over 450 of the "villages" have been found so far.

The latest excavations in and around Lake Biel, northwest of Bern near Sutz-Lattrigen, have turned up traces of Switzerland’s oldest known building (Prehistoric find located beneath the waves). Researchers hope to combine the site with others in the area in order to nominate the region for a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Speaking of UNESCO, the nomination for Switzerland's Rhaetian Railway and the Albula/Bernina cultural landscape will be decided next year. The two railway lines bridge deep gorges and climb through high mountain passes from Tirano, Italy, to Thusis, Switzerland, passing through St. Moritz. They are wonders of engineering and benchmarks for Alpine railroad construction. The Albula railway was completed in 1903, the Bernina in 1910--and they're still going strong today. For the tourist, they provide a great day's excursion through stunning alpine scenery. The Bernina Express is the best known (schedule).

The only other UNESCO World Heritage Site in Europe that is a railway is the Semmering Railroad, described with other scenic routes in our Austrian Scenic Train Rides Guide.

Travel Related: Map of Switzerland | Choose the Right Rail Pass