Hohle Gasse, Sunken lane in Küssnacht, Switzerland
Hohle Gasse is a sunken lane in Küssnacht, Switzerland that winds through the hillside between Küssnacht and Immensee. The path runs between high stone walls and is lined with natural growth, with the narrow passage becoming only a few meters wide in some sections.
The sunken road formed in the Middle Ages as part of a trade route between Zurich and the Saint-Gotthard massif. The lane became linked from the 16th century onward with the story of William Tell, who is said to have shot the bailiff here.
A small memorial chapel from the 16th century stands at the southern end of the gorge and displays wall paintings showing the shot at Gessler. Many visitors pause here to view the painted scenes and spend a quiet moment inside the modest interior.
Marked walking trails lead from both towns to the sunken lane and information panels along the route explain the connection to the Tell legend. The path is easy to walk on foot, though sturdy shoes help in wet weather.
A foundation was created in 1934 specifically to protect the old path from decay. Three years later modern traffic was redirected to a new road, allowing the sunken lane to remain in its original form.
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