Rigi-Bahn Luzern - Vitznau - Rigi - Kulm Circa 1910

This stunning circa 1910 original travel poster promotes the Rigi-Bahn railway route from Luzern through Vitznau to Rigi-Kulm, one of the most picturesque and historic rail journeys in Switzerland. With bold Art Nouveau-influenced typography and a composition bursting with color and clarity, the poster beautifully captures the appeal of alpine travel in the golden age of tourism.

The Rigi-Bahn, inaugurated in 1871, was Europe’s first mountain cogwheel railway and remains a symbol of Swiss engineering and scenic exploration. In this image, the eye follows the serpentine route of the train as it winds through vibrant green pastures, steep cliff faces, and dense forests before reaching the majestic summit of Rigi-Kulm. The peaks are carefully labeled, guiding the viewer’s imagination along the railway's ascent. In the foreground, a paddle steamer glides across the calm waters of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee), reinforcing the multimodal nature of travel at the time — from lake to mountain in one seamless experience.

The poster is more than a landscape; it is a celebration of accessibility to nature, made possible by modern transport. During the early 20th century, posters like this played a crucial role in enticing European and international travelers to explore the natural wonders of Switzerland, particularly those reachable by the expanding railway networks.

Printed by the prominent lithographic house Fretz Bros in Zurich, the poster exemplifies Swiss graphic design's balance between precision and charm. Its panoramic perspective, rich color palette, and informative layout made it both an advertisement and a travel dreamscape — an invitation to ascend into alpine splendor aboard one of Switzerland’s most iconic trains.

Railway - Tourism - Switzerland

Lake Lucerne

Printed by Hubacher & Co in Bern

Bon état