Viadukt Museum Langwies
Museum on the Langwies Viaduct with stations in old station rooms, in a bridge pier and in the former schoolhouse of Langwies.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Langwies Viaduct of the Rhaetian Railway was built between 1912 and 1914 for the Chur–Arosa line. Hermann Schürch supplied the design; the contractor and chief engineer was Eduard Züblin, and the timber centering was built by the carpenter Richard Coray. With a main arch spanning 100 meters, the reinforced concrete bridge was, when completed, the largest and longest-spanning railway bridge of this type in the world; it is about 284 meters long and 62 meters high.
On the bridge's 111th anniversary, Arosa Tourismus, Arosa Kultur and the municipality of Arosa opened the Viadukt Museum in 2025. Instead of building a new museum, it uses several historic rooms around Langwies station: the waiting room in use since 1914, the station office, the shed, the former railway service storeroom and a walk-in pier of the access bridge. Also included is the painted facade of the former rectifier building, which served the power supply of the Arosa Line around 1930.
The stations explore the history of construction and technology, the people behind the building, early film recordings and the importance of the railway line for tourism in the Schanfigg. Hand-cranked cinemas, a sound room, Polaroid stations and a craft room invite visitors to take part. In the former schoolhouse, about a 15-minute walk from the station, a model at 1:25 scale shows Richard Coray's fan-shaped timber centering; in the converted attic, a changing exhibition runs each season.
Highlights
- Walk-in pier of the Langwies Viaduct, especially impressive when a train passes
- Original station rooms with waiting room, station office, shed and storeroom
- Hand-cranked cinemas, sound room and Polaroid stations
- Model of Richard Coray's timber centering at 1:25 scale in the former schoolhouse
- Arrival by Rhaetian Railway across the viaduct
Permanent exhibitions
- Stationen am Bahnhof Langwies – The waiting room, station office, shed, storeroom and a walk-in bridge pier tell the story of the viaduct's construction, technology and upkeep, of the Arosa Line and of tourism, with plans, photos, original objects, historic films and hands-on stations.
- Schulzimmer – Modell des Lehrgerüsts – In the former schoolhouse, a model at 1:25 scale shows the timber centering over which the viaduct's arch was concreted, supplemented by literature and archive material.
- Founded
- 2025
- Operated by
- Arosa Tourismus, Arosa Kultur und Gemeinde Arosa
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 5Young people |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 6 · Children up to 6 years free. |
| Groups (5+ people) | –Guided tours of the stations at the railway station are priced as flat fees plus admission; longer tours including the stations in the schoolhouse on request. |
| Guided tour for 5 to 10 people (45–60 minutes) | CHF 100Flat fee, plus admission. |
| Guided tour for 10 to 20 people (60 minutes) | CHF 150Flat fee, plus admission. |
| Guided tour for 20 to 40 people (60–75 minutes, two guides) | CHF 300Flat fee, plus admission. |
With the Arosa Card, admission is free (show the card at the information desk). Tickets are sold at the information desk; if it is not staffed, you can pay by Twint at the ticket hatch.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- 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
Langwies station is not yet barrier-free. Step-free access is available to the facade painting on the rectifier and to the waiting room with a view into the station office; the shed is reached via a ramp. Unpaved paths lead to the storeroom and the pier (about 2 and 5 minutes respectively); the pier has one step. At the information desk there is a brochure in large print, magnifying glasses, hearing protection and fidget toys; exhibition texts are also available in English. Preliminary inquiries at +41 77 536 68 81.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 6 |
|---|
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The museum is aimed at all age groups. For children, there is a booklet with puzzles and coloring pages at the information desk; hand-cranked cinemas, a sound room, Polaroid stations and a craft room invite hands-on participation. Parents and accompanying adults are responsible for supervising children.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Langwies
By the Rhaetian Railway (Chur–Arosa line) to Langwies; the museum is right at the station. With the Arosa Card, the train ride between Lüen and Arosa is free.
By car
Langwies has only a few parking spaces; it is recommended to park in Arosa and travel by train.
The stations in the former schoolhouse are about a 15-minute walk from the station. Visitors hiking from Litzirüti can visit the pier and storeroom along the way and buy their ticket afterwards at the information desk. Near Holzverlad, detours of 10 to 15 minutes on foot are possible.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Group tours of the stations at the railway station on request by email to viadukt@arosa.swiss; depending on group size, 45 to 75 minutes. Walking onto the viaduct is strictly forbidden and life-threatening. |
