Schwyz

The canton of Schwyz gave all of Switzerland its name and the cross on its flag. A trip to Schwyz takes you to the Federal Charter of 1291, to the country's largest Baroque monastery in Einsiedeln, and to the shores of no fewer than three lakes.

Landscape and Towns

Between Lake Zurich to the north and Lake Lucerne to the south lie the Mythen, two striking limestone peaks rising above the main town of Schwyz. You'll also find Lake Sihl, Switzerland's largest reservoir, and the Muotatal valley with the Hölloch, one of the longest cave systems in the world. On Lake Zurich, Freienbach and Lachen are affluent residential communities with harbors and lakeside promenades. Küssnacht am Rigi, on Lake Lucerne, is linked to the Hohle Gasse (Hollow Way), where William Tell, according to legend, shot the bailiff Gessler. Arth and Goldau lie at the foot of the Rigi; the 1806 Goldau landslide shaped the nature and animal park there. Brunnen, in the municipality of Ingenbohl, is a boat landing and the starting point for the Swiss Path around Lake Uri.

Sights in Schwyz

The Museum of the Swiss Charters in Schwyz holds the document with which Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden sealed their alliance in 1291. In Einsiedeln stands the Benedictine monastery with the Black Madonna, for over a thousand years a destination for pilgrims on the Way of St. James; the Baroque abbey church was lavishly decorated by the Asam brothers. In Ibach near Schwyz, Victorinox makes the Swiss Army knife, and a visitor center in Brunnen explains how it's produced. A cog railway runs up the Rigi from Arth-Goldau, and the Grosse Mythen can be reached by a steep trail with 47 switchbacks.

Also worth a visit are Lake Wägital beyond Lachen, a reservoir between steep mountains, and the Etzel Pass with a chapel that pilgrims bound for Einsiedeln pass on their way. In winter, Lake Sihl becomes a spot for ice fishers and cross-country skiers.

Food and Best Time to Visit

Typical specialties include Älplermagronen (alpine macaroni) with applesauce, Schwyzer Chriesi and kirsch, and Einsiedler Schafböcke, a honey pastry. In Muotathal, the "Wetterschmöcker" (weather sniffers) present their folk weather forecasts twice a year. Schwyz is an hour from Zurich by train. The best time to visit is May through October; in winter you can ski at Hoch-Ybrig and Stoos, and the Stoos funicular is considered the steepest in the world.