The famous Federal Charter of 1291 takes centre stage at the Federal Charter Museum in Schwyz. The exhibition also showcases the most important alliances of the Old Swiss Confederacy and a unique collection of flags. It also explains the role myths play in Switzerland’s national identity. The visit thus leads from a specific historical document to the question of how shared narratives shape a country.

The Forum of Swiss History Schwyz offers another perspective. In its interactive trail, children and adults encounter the conditions under which the Old Swiss Confederacy emerged in the Middle Ages. The museum is housed in a Baroque granary and armoury dating from 1711; inside, the rooms are shaped by contemporary, spacious architecture. An audio guide is available in German, Italian, French and English.

Historic houses in Schwyz and Muotathal

Within the boundary wall of the Ital Reding Estate are the manor house, Bethlehem House and an outbuilding that now houses the cantonal library. Ital Reding had the manor house built from 1609 onwards; a Baroque garden and two small summerhouses flank it. Bethlehem House dates from 1287. Its masonry ground floor contains a room decorated with wall paintings in the 16th century—a unique glimpse into the building and living culture of different eras.

In Muotathal, the Altchloster is thought to be the oldest surviving building in the municipality. Its deed of consecration from 1347 attests to a building with a late Romanesque ground plan. The convent offers a different point of reference: it predates the Confederacy, while the present-day convent complex was built between 1684 and 1693. These different dates help put the municipality’s long building history into context without confusing the two sites.

Bödmeren Forest and Hölloch Cave

Bödmeren Forest includes a primary subalpine spruce forest. Its core area meets the criteria for a primeval forest and is home to a great diversity of animal and plant communities. The forest lies within a federal game reserve and can be explored on official hiking trails. The natural experience and protected status go hand in hand here: stay on designated trails when visiting.

Hölloch Cave stretches beneath the Bödmeren-Silbern-Twärenen-Charetalp karst region. Around 190 kilometres of the cave have been surveyed to date. The short tour covers the first 700 metres and includes total darkness and absolute silence; it ends with a small cave concert. A cave aperitif or a cave raclette by candlelight and accompanied by cave music may also be offered as part of the tour.

Trails and experiences with different characters

At Stoos, the Fronalpstock Panorama Trail combines a relatively gentle route with views of ten lakes and numerous peaks in Central Switzerland. The Mythen Trail is considerably more demanding: from Holzegg, it climbs to the summit via 47 hairpin bends. Rated T3 and secured with chains, this mountain trail is steep and challenging; it requires very good footwear, sure-footedness and a good head for heights. Check the weather conditions before setting out. From Schwyz, Stoos is about seven minutes away by funicular, and from Morschach, around 17 minutes by aerial cableway.

The experiences at Sattel-Hochstuckli also offer different highlights. The Skywalk is 374 metres long and reaches up to 58 metres above the wild and romantic Lauitobel gorge. The Stuckli Run summer toboggan run is 600 metres long, with tunnels and steep banked curves along the route. The figures describe two very different ways to experience the landscape: crossing a suspension bridge high above the gorge or riding a winding toboggan run.

For families, the approximately 30-minute Husky Learning Trail is an interactive educational route, with information boards and quiz questions sharing interesting facts about huskies. On a husky trek in Muotathal, participants get to know sled dogs and walk along nature trails and mountain paths wearing a special harness. Depending on the group’s ability, the trek lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours. A visit to the husky enclosure offers a different focus: visitors learn more about the 30 Siberian Huskies at Erlebniswelt Muotathal and about their work, care and character.

The Schwyz Tour offers another way to discover places and history along the way. The 26-kilometre circular route starts and ends in Brunnen and includes 840 metres of ascent. Eleven information boards cover important squares, roads and lanes, public buildings, patrician houses, convents, churches and chapels. The tour complements museum visits with information about the buildings and public spaces that bring daily life in Schwyz and its history to life.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Lauerz, Morschach, Unteriberg, Stoos, Goldau, Oberiberg, Arth, Alpthal, Brunnen, Sattel, Riemenstalden, Steinen, Muotathal, Schwyz, Illgau, Rothenthurm, Rickenbach bei Schwyz, Seewen.

Back to the main travel overview: Schwyz.