Mount Rigi's 'Queen of the Mountains' Hotel Marks 205 Years of History
The 'Queen of the Mountains', Mount Rigi, stands tall above the fog, reaching nearly 1800 meters. It's home to the first watch hotel in Switzerland, the Hotel Rigi Kulm, which opened its doors on August 6, 1816. Today, it offers 32 rooms to visitors.
The Rigi Kulm Hotel's history dates back to the Belle Époque in Switzerland. The Grand-Hotel on the Rigi summit was constructed in 1875, marking the beginning of this era. The current Rigi-Kulm-Hotel was built in 1954, using materials from the demolished 'Palais Schreiber'.
The first watch hotel, however, was much smaller. It had just six beds and was opened through a donation campaign. The Rigi Railway, built in 1871, ended the era of carriers transporting guests up the mountain, making the hotel more accessible.
The Rigi Kulm Hotel, once a small six-bedroom establishment, now offers 32 rooms. Its history reflects the evolution of tourism on the 'island mountain', from the first bath tourists around 1600 to the modern visitors who enjoy its panoramic views today.
