Sarnen

Sarnen is the capital of Canton Obwalden and sits on the northern shore of Lake Sarnen at 471 meters elevation. The Sarner River flows through the town, creating a natural divide that shapes its layout and connects different neighborhoods.

The town hall was built between 1729 and 1731 and houses the Weisses Buch, one of the oldest Swiss chronicles of liberation dating to 1470. The church of St Peter and Paul followed soon after in the 1730s, marking an era of baroque construction and religious renewal.

The parish church of St Peter and Paul stands at the town center with its baroque architecture, reflecting the strong Catholic roots that shape daily life here. The square surrounding it serves as a gathering place where locals pause and the community comes together.

The town is reached by the Luzern-Brünig railway, which connects to major cities in the region. Its location on the lake and good road access make it easy to explore the area on foot or by car.

The municipality is made up of five distinct communities: Sarnen, Stalden, Wilen, Kägiswil, and Ramersberg, each keeping its own character. Walking through them reveals how different neighborhoods maintain separate identities while belonging to the same town.

Location: Canton of Obwalden

Elevation above the sea: 1,309 m

Shares border with: Entlebuch, Flühli, Hasle, Alpnach, Giswil, Kerns, Sachseln

Website: https://sarnen.ch

GPS coordinates: 46.89694,8.24694

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:49