Histroy of the Pilatus

The first written reference to Mount Pilatus was made in the 13th century. But Celtic herdsmen already inhabited the extensive heights in much earlier times.
But the real story of Mount Pilatus began with the completion of the Gotthard route. Suddenly, not only local people stood at the foot of Lucerne's "own" mountain, but also travellers from the whole of the then-known world.

Mt. Pilatus guest book page with signatures of visitors around 1939.

Mt. Pilatus guest book page with signatures of visitors around 1939.

Famous conquerors of Mount Pilatus

When Richard Wagner reached the Mount Pilatus summit in 1859, he was overwhelmed by the breathtaking views over Central Switzerland. Since then, the experience of the famous composer of «The Ring of the Nibelungs» has been shared by millions of tourists from all over the world, including England's Queen Victoria (on horseback ), King Don Carlos of Spain and Antarctic explorer Lincoln Ellsworth. All have marvelled at the imposing Alpine panorama from Mount Pilatus.