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James Lucas@JamesLucasIT · Mar 22, 2025

Switzerland doesn't look real – a thread 🧵 1. Many scholars believe that Tolkien's 1911 hike through Lauterbrunnen…

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Summary

A visual thread showcasing Switzerland's most stunning landscapes, from Alpine villages and dramatic mountain peaks to pristine lakes and waterfalls, with historical context and literary connections including Tolkien's inspiration from Lauterbrunnen Valley for Rivendell.

Summarized by ThreadOut AI from the full thread. May miss nuance — read the thread below.

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    Switzerland doesn't look real – a thread 🧵 1. Many scholars believe that Tolkien's 1911 hike through Lauterbrunnen directly inspired the valley of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings.

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    2. Grindelwald and its unreal Alpine landscape

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    3. Canton of Obwalden Emerald hills, homes straight from a fairytale, and the turquoise waters of Lake Lungern, all set against a backdrop of forested mountains. The first documented reference to the village of Lungern appears in an 800-year-old tax register from Germany.

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    4. Same place, two seasons in Switzerland x.com/Visionaledge/s…

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    6. Unterbäch, canton of Valais

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    7. Adelboden Nestled in the Bernese Highlands, this picturesque mountain village traces its roots back over 600 years, first mentioned in 1409 as in valle Adelboden. Today, it’s a premier ski resort and a summer paradise in the Swiss Alps.

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    8. The Valley of 72 Waterfalls Often referred to as "Switzerland's most beautiful village," Lauterbrunnen is so breathtaking that local authorities are considering charging an entry fee for visitors.

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    9. A bench overlooking Oeschinen Lake

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    10. A winter night in Switzerland

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    11. Launch off a mountain near Interlaken

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    12. The water of Lake Brienz is as blue as the Caribbean

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    13. Landwasser Viaduct Designed by Alexander Acatos, this viaduct was built by Müller & Zeerleder between 1901 and 1902 for the Rhaetian Railway, which still owns and operates it today. When snow falls, it transforms into a scene straight out of a fantasy novel.

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    14. Zermatt The Gornergrat train makes its way back to the village, with the majestic Matterhorn towering in the background.

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    15. Furka Pass, Swiss Alps This iconic high mountain pass, opened in 1866–1867 and featured in Goldfinger, is home to the now closed Hotel Belvédère.

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    16. Spring in Switzerland

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    17. The view from the Gelmer Funicular

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    18. The heavenly beauty of Kandersteg

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    19. A lion carved into a cliff Lucerne's Lion Monument honors the guards who died defending King Louis XVI. Karl Altshofen, the regiment’s only survivor due to being on leave, played a key role in its creation. Mark Twain called it "the most moving piece of stone in the world"

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    20. «There is no more beautiful scenery or climate for summer travel than Switzerland presents». — Ulysses S. Grant

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    Thanks for reading till the end! If you enjoyed this journey, please share the first post (linked below) and follow me for more threads like this 👇

    James Lucas@JamesLucasIT · Mar 22, 2025

    Switzerland doesn't look real – a thread 🧵 1. Many scholars believe that Tolkien's 1911 hike through Lauterbrunnen directly inspired the valley of Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings.

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    A comparison between J.R.R. Tolkien's 1937 painting of Rivendell and the Lauterbrunnen Valley

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