Bahnmuseum Albula

About the museum

The Albula Railway Museum in Bergün/Bravuogn stands right on the Albula line of the Rhaetian Railway, which opened in 1903 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Between Thusis and St. Moritz the line climbs more than a kilometre in altitude, with 137 bridges and 42 tunnels; more than 5,000 workers spent five years building it. It marked the start of a new era for the Albula Valley: the journey to St. Moritz shrank from around 14 hours by stagecoach to two hours by train.

Residents of the valley founded the museum to keep this history alive. In 2011 and 2012 the former Bergün arsenal next to the station was converted with donations from across Switzerland and contributions from the canton and the Rhaetian Railway; it opened in June 2012. The Albula Railway Museum Foundation collects and preserves historic railway material, while Bahnmuseum Albula AG runs the building.

Today a circuit on the first floor, with original exhibits and media stations, covers the themes of crossing the Alps, the pioneer era and hotels, railway construction, railway operations and sustainability. There is also a model railway workshop with detailed replicas of Rhaetian Railway buildings, viaducts and tunnels from the 1950s and 1960s, the Clà Ferrovia children's tour, and a buffet with seating from old dining and saloon cars.

Highlights

• Circuit about the Rhaetian Railway's Albula line (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Model railway workshop with demonstrations in 0m gauge
• Clà Ferrovia children's tour with picture book and stamp card
• Buffet with original seating from dining and saloon cars
• Former arsenal near the station

Permanent exhibitions

• Dauerausstellung „Bahn-Parcours“ – Circuit on the first floor covering crossing the Alps, the pioneer era and hotels, railway construction, rail travel and sustainability, with original exhibits and media stations.
• Modellbahn-Werkstatt – Detailed models of Rhaetian Railway buildings, viaducts and tunnels of the 1950s and 1960s in 0m gauge, with demonstrations and a virtual cab ride.
• Clà Ferrovia Kindertour – A playful treasure hunt for children through ten stations in the museum, in search of the lost whistle of the conductor Clà Ferrovia.

Founded

2012

Operated by

Bahnmuseum Albula AG (Stiftung Bahnmuseum Albula)

Director

Roman Sommer

Admission & discounts

Through RailAway (Explore'n'Rail), counters at RhB and SBB offer 20 percent off admission when you travel by train.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Dogs are not allowed in the museum but are welcome in the buffet and the shop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The Clà Ferrovia children's tour with picture book and stamp card leads to ten stations; anyone who finds the lost whistle gets a small reward at the ticket desk. The museum sees itself as a place for families and railway enthusiasts.

Getting there & parking

RailAway offer with 20 percent off admission when you arrive by train.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Buffet with coffee, tea, dishes from the hot kitchen open all day, homemade cake and a lunch menu from CHF 19.50; seating from historic dining and saloon cars. Shop with historic postcards, railway literature and souvenirs, also online.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

Lunch in the attic, wedding meals, class reunions, an aperitif under the locomotive shelter, or coffee and croissants before a tour, arranged after individual consultation.

Plan your visit