In Bürglen, you can encounter Tell tradition at several specific places: the Tell Museum, the Tell Chapel and the Tell Fountain. The historic village centre and the chapel trails complement this cultural focus. There are also excursions with very different stated durations, from the approximately one-hour circular trail on Biel to the chapel trail, which takes 4 hours and 20 minutes.
Tell Museum and historic village centre
The Tell Museum is housed in the Wattigwilerturm, where it has been operating since 1966. Its collection includes more than 500 documents and objects relating to William Tell, as well as historical, artistic and traditional depictions of the figure and Switzerland’s founding story. The museum also explores the history and spread of the Swiss liberation tradition and how it has changed over the centuries. A multimedia film installation reflects on the cycle of Tell as a Swiss hero. The collection, interpretation and depictions of the Tell tradition are presented side by side.
The historic village centre includes buildings dating from the 12th to the 19th century and the Baroque church complex of the parish church of St Peter and Paul. The Tell Chapel was built in 1582 at the site where William Tell’s house is said to have stood. Its fresco cycle, dating from 1588, is among the oldest known Tell frescoes. In the church square, the Tell Fountain features a painted figure of Tell, created in 1786 by Einsiedeln sculptor Josef Benedikt Curiger. These dates place the various works in context without suggesting they tell the same story: the building, frescoes and fountain come from different periods.
Another cultural highlight is the church treasury. The permanent exhibition in the Bürglen parish hall covers six themes. Visits are possible by prior arrangement; guided tours are available on request.
Chapel trails and historic route traces
The Chapel of Our Lady in Riedertal is considered the oldest pilgrimage site in the canton of Uri. The chapel trail connects Bürglen parish church, Riedertal Chapel, Loreto Chapel, Spiess Chapel and Tell Chapel. The route is listed as taking 4 hours and 20 minutes. This makes it quite different in duration from the approximately one-hour circular trails on Biel-Kinzig. A Way of the Cross also leads from Bürglen via Obriedli to Riedertal Chapel.
An older route is also part of the area’s history: a path from the commercial district climbs past the church, farmhouses and a wayside chapel, then continues towards the Klausen Pass. The remains of the old pack trail in this direction are important parts of a once-significant historic transport route.
Excursions on Biel-Kinzig
From Bürglen, you can reach the Biel-Kinzig winter sports area by aerial cableway in about 15 minutes. Check travel times and operating schedules when planning your seasonal visit. The Biel circular trail starts at the mountain station. It takes about an hour and has an elevation difference of 100 metres. The Gangbach Trail, also known as the Orchid Trail, is another circular route of about an hour and starts directly at the mountain station. The two trails therefore have similar stated durations; the elevation difference is also specified for the Biel circular trail.
Along the Gangbach Trail on Biel, you can see large stands of yellow lady’s slipper, an orchid that is strictly protected in Switzerland, during its flowering season. The flowering season runs from the end of May to around the end of June or mid-July; the timing varies depending on conditions. Trail conditions and access may vary seasonally. In winter, Biel-Kinzig also offers varied groomed slopes for carving and snowboarding. The flowering season and winter activities therefore provide different seasonal highlights for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Altdorf, Attinghausen, Andermatt, Göschenen, Erstfeld, Isenthal, Unterschächen, Sisikon
For the overview of the wider region: Uri.
