The best city hikes and walks in Schwyz

The name "Frauenwinkel" dates back to a donation by Emperor Otto I in 965 to the "Our Lady" (Mother of God) convent in Einsiedeln. The current "Frauenwinkel" nature reserve with its two islands, Ufenau and Lützelau, is located in the municipality of Freienbach in Schwyz and, with its good 350 hectares, is the largest and most valuable nature reserve on the entire Lake Zurich. The name "Frauenwinkel" dates back to a donation by Emperor Otto I in 965 to the "Our Lady" (Mother of God) convent in Einsiedeln. Text / Source: Stiftung Frauenwinkel, Gässlistrasse 1A, 8856 Tuggen https://frauenwinkel.ch/geschichte/der-frauenwinkel-bis-1980/

The small Coop has very long opening hours, even on Sundays!

History is taught in a playful way!

nice village tour + museum

Archive Tower or Treasure Tower, Schwyz The Archive Tower is located on the Metzghofstatt (Meat Farm), a historic site. Until 1642, a state butcher's shop was located near the tower, which likely gave rise to the name "Metzghofstatt." Until 1890, the village washhouse also stood on the site. The stone Archive Tower, dating from 1200, was formerly a residential and administrative tower and was used as an archive for the preservation of the "state's liberties" since at least the 15th century. It is also known that it was once used as a prison. Despite the limited space and the demand for a new archive building, the tower continued to be used as an archive until the 20th century. In 1936, the space problems were temporarily resolved with the opening of the then "Federal Charter Archive," now the "Federal Charter Museum." However, space became scarce again in the 1960s as the administration continued to grow. This was temporarily addressed in 2002 with the opening of the new State Archives. Today, the Archive Tower serves as a medieval writing workshop for the Museum of Federal Charters. In a furnished writing room, students can write their own parchment certificate with ink and a goose quill pen and seal it with a copy of the oldest Schwyz state seal. Text / Source: Erlebnisregion Mythen https://www.erlebnisregion-mythen.ch/de/erlebnisse/kultur/sehenswuerdigkeiten/archivturm-metzghofstatt/

Federal Charter Museum, Schwyz The Federal Charter Museum (until 1992: Federal Charter Archive) was built in 1936 primarily for a single object: the Federal Charter of 1291. This document was considered the founding document of the Swiss Confederation and was venerated in the specially constructed building almost like a national shrine. In recent decades, the Federal Charter Museum has transformed into a modern historical museum. Today, not only the history of the Federal Charter is explained here, but also the way national history is dealt with. Serious political and economic crises shook Europe in the 1930s. Hitler's seizure of power was also perceived as an existential threat in neutral Switzerland. During this time of crisis, the "Spiritual National Defense" emerged in Switzerland. This was characterized by an intensive reflection on everything "Swiss" in history, politics and culture. Values that are considered typically Swiss, such as cultural diversity, democracy, the will to freedom and independence, were set against fascist and National Socialist totalitarianism. Text / Source: BUNDESBRIEFMUSEUM SCHWYZ, Bahnhofstrasse 20, CH-6431 Schwyz https://www.bundesbrief.ch/de/geschichte.html/7

Tower The base of the tower dates from 1481. The bell chamber has large sound holes, above which the clock faces are mounted in gable tops. The gargoyles in the shape of dragon heads date from earlier times. The spire tapers to an octagonal lantern dome into a needle-pointed pyramid. On the roof above the apse sits a hexagonal turret, crowned by a small Madonna. Surroundings A plaque on the southern wall of the church commemorates the old cemetery on the church grounds, commemorating Landammann Alois von Reding (1765-1818, victor of Rothenthurm, opponent of the centralism of the Helvetic Republic, first Landammann of Switzerland) and a memorial stone at the entrance to the former Betschart crypt. The staircase leading to the village square was redesigned in 1859 and 1889. Text / Source: Schwyz Parish Office, Herrengasse 22, 6430 Schwyz https://www.kirchgemeinde-schwyz.ch/pfarrei/schwyz/schwyz-pfarrkirche-st-martin-schwyz

St. Martin Parish Church, Schwyz The present-day St. Martin Parish Church is the work of the brothers Jakob and Johann Singer from Lucerne, originally from Tyrol. The building owners signed a construction contract with them in 1763 for a total sum of 20,000 guilders. Exterior In contrast to the interior, the building is cubically austere, compact, and clearly structured by pilasters with capitals. The exterior is characterized by the colors gray, light gray, and white. On the long side, the gable top with oval windows marks the transept. The large, pointed-arch windows, the three-part semicircular openings, and the four side portals (doors with Rococo carvings) set clear accents. The west façade, with its richly structured vestibule and main portal (Rococo cartouche in the arch apex), closes off Herrengasse like a bar. Text / Source: Schwyz Parish Office, Herrengasse 22, 6430 Schwyz https://www.kirchgemeinde-schwyz.ch/pfarrei/schwyz/schwyz-pfarrkirche-st-martin-schwyz