Celebrities and their fascination with the Gornergrat Railway
Story 73
Zermatt and the Gornergrat Railway have long been a magnet for celebrities from all over the world. Every year they flock to Valais to enjoy the breathtaking nature and the incomparable atmosphere.
The Gornergrat Railway as a wonder of the world
Roger Taylor, drummer of the rock band Queen, travelled to Zermatt for the first time in 1980 and was immediately smitten with the Matterhorn village, as he wrote in an interview with the Telegraph in 2014 (Roger Taylor's Zermatt: My Kind of Town – Telegraph). The 73-year-old Briton was particularly impressed by the Gornergrat Railway:
You've also got to take the Gornergrat railway from Zermatt to Gornergrat, which is more than 3,000m (10,000ft) high. The train has been around since Victorian times when it must have been a wonder of the world.
The enthusiasm of film stars
Not only musicians like Roger Taylor are fascinated by the Gornergrat Railway. Numerous film stars have also been captured by its magic. Hollywood greats such as Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin were often spotted boarding the train and enjoying the climb up to the Gornergrat. For them, it was a welcome escape from the hectic life in the film industry.
A tradition of return
Not only first-time visitors, but also long-standing guests return again and again. Celebrities such as the British actor Sir Michael Caine and the Swiss singer Nubya have developed a special bond with Zermatt and the Gornergrat Railway. Every year, they find time to return to this picturesque backdrop and enjoy the incomparable view from the Gornergrat.
The inspiration of the artists
The Gornergrat Railway has inspired many artists. Painters, writers and photographers have immortalised the spectacular landscape around Zermatt and the Gornergrat in their works. The picturesque beauty of the glaciers and the majestic mountains serve as a source of creativity and a stage for their masterpieces. This was also the case with François Gos.
