Lake Lauerz, Alpine lake in Schwyz District, Switzerland.
Lake Lauerz is a natural lake in the canton of Schwyz, lying at the foot of the Rigi massif and surrounded by wooded hills and rocky slopes. It sits at around 1,465 feet (447 meters) above sea level and contains a small wooded island called Schwanau near its center.
In 1806 a large landslide from the Rossberg mountain sent debris into the lake and triggered a wave that destroyed parts of the shoreline and flooded nearby villages. The event changed the shape of the lake bed permanently and left traces that are still visible in the surrounding landscape today.
The small island of Schwanau sits in the middle of the lake and holds the ruins of a medieval castle that can be seen clearly from the shore. Walking along the water's edge, visitors get a direct view of the island and its walls rising above the surface.
The shoreline can be reached on foot from the villages of Lauerz and Steinen, where paths run close to the water. Footwear with a good grip is helpful, as parts of the trail can become slippery after rain.
The floor of the lake still holds a thick layer of debris from the 1806 landslide, buried under the water and largely out of sight. Divers who have explored the area have found the remains of structures that were swallowed by the flood that year.
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