The Schiffstation (ship station) of the municipality Flüelen is situated on the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake of Four Forests, also called Lake Lucerne) in the canton of Uri, Switzerland. Flüelen formed an important transshipment point on Switzerland's transport system for many centuries since the opening of the first track across the Gotthard Pass in 1230. The various routes across the pass reached Lake Lucerne at Flüelen, and until the latter half of the 19th century the lake provided the best onward link to the cities of northern Switzerland. The pier on the picture is served by steamer services to and from Lucerne that are provided by the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (Lake Lucerne Navigation Company; SGV). The pictured Gallia ship was built in 1913 and is considered to be the fastest paddle steamer on European inland lakes.