In
the south of the canton of Saint-Gall, the Tamina
river goes down through a very narrow gorge, at
Pfäfers, and flows into the Rhine river between
Bad Ragaz and Maienfeld. The gorge of the Tamina
in famous since the XIth century where an inaccessible
hot spring was found in the middle of the gorge.
The hot water had the properties to cure some
illnesses. The baths of Pfäfers were well
known during many centuries until the waters were
collected and brought down to the valley at Bad
Ragaz.
Pfäfers is located at 300 meters above Bad
Ragaz; in 1892 a funicular was built to bring
the tourists from Bad Ragaz to Wartenstein which
is a promontory just before Pfäfers. From
Wartenstein you have a wonderful view to the Rhine
valley.
The funicular was stopped in 1965 and today
there are only some remains are visible:
- the bottom station is now transformed in an
apartment building.
- the main relic a nice 80 meters curved viaduct
with seven arches (see photo).
- a small 30 meters tunnel under the road.
- a second viaduct of 50 meters length with two
arches.
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