Sarnen, Capital town in central Switzerland.
Description
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.
History
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.
Culture
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.
Practical
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.
Did you know?
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.
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Polenweg
2 km
St. Karl Borromäus Chapel
3.2 km
Hotel Paxmontana
3.2 km
Staatsarchiv Obwalden
289 mHohe Brücke
2.5 km
Wichelsee
3.2 km
Fürstein
13.5 km
Benedictine Monastery of St. Andrew
368 m
Landenberg shooting and armory house
235 m
Witch tower
283 m
Catholic Parish Church of St. Peter and Paul
773 m
Museum Bruder Klaus
3.2 km
Collegiate Church of St. Martin
585 mLandessender Sarnen
5.1 kmBärenturm
13.9 km
Grosshaus Hofmatt
746 m
Burial chapel
3.3 km
Doppelhaus Grundacher
349 m
Former armory
120 m
Cantonal Library Obwalden
358 m
St. Catherine Chapel
3.1 kmChesselsmatt
12.2 kmSewen
12.5 kmGlaubenberg/Hinter Rotbach
10.5 kmRischi
4.5 kmRiedboden
7.1 kmTeilenboden
5.6 km
Obere Ranftkapelle
3.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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