Mount Pilatus in Switzerland
The Pilatus Massif is a mountain massif located south and southeast of Lucerne. As a mountain massif, it comprises not just a single peak, but a series of peaks within an extensive mountain region. This region is also known as the Pilatus region and is surrounded by several bodies of water and rivers, including the Grosse Schlier, the Samer Aa, Lake Alpnach, Lake Lucerne, the Reuss, the Kleine Emme, the Rümlig and the Fischenbach. To the west, the region is bordered by the Risetestock. The peaks of the Pilatus include the Risetestock (1759 m), the Stäfeliflue (1922.2 m), the Mittaggüpfi (1916.6 m), the Widderfeld (2075.2 m), the Tomlishorn (2128.5 m), the Oberhaupt (2106 m), the Esel (2118.7 m), the Matthorn (2041.3 m), the Klimsenhorn (1907.2 m), the Rosegg (1972 m) and the Steiglihorn (1968 m). The highest peak of the Pilatus is the Tomlishorn at 2128.5 metres.
Due to its central location near Lucerne, the Pilatus massif is easily accessible. Several motorways run around the Pilatus area, including the A1, A2, A8 and A6. The A2 runs directly past Lucerne and the Pilatus.
Legends of the Pilatus
The Pilatus region is surrounded by several legends and tales. One of these legends concerns the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate, who, according to the story, is said to have been buried on the Pilatus in the so-called Pilatus Lake (a former mountain lake on the Pilatus). According to this legend, every place where Pilate was buried was struck by severe storms and violent weather. He was therefore ultimately buried on the Pilatus, where strong winds blow. The legend states that the spirit of Pilate is meant to rest in Lake Pilatus, and that any disturbance of this rest leads to violent storms. Another legend describes a stone said to have been dropped on the Pilatus by a dragon in the 15th century. This stone is attributed with miraculous and healing powers.
Tourism on the Pilatus
The Pilatus massif is a popular tourist destination that is easy to reach thanks to the well-developed motorway network. However, the mountain itself is not directly accessible by car. With the Pilatus Railway, the steepest cogwheel railway in the world, which opened in 1889, visitors can travel from Alpnachstad up to an altitude of 2073 metres on the Pilatus. From there, the Hotel Bellevue and the Hotel Kulm can be reached. Since 1956, the Pilatus has also been accessible from Lucerne by cable car and aerial tramway.
Among the most popular sights on the Pilatus are Lake Pilatus and the Mondmilchloch (Moon Milk Cave). In addition, the Pilatus offers numerous opportunities for mountain sports such as climbing, hiking and paragliding.
