Historians like to argue about what exactly happened between the Confederates and the Habsburgs at the Battle of Morgarten in November 1315. But when you walk around this beautiful place, you probably won't really care.
Historians like to argue about what exactly happened between the Confederates and the Habsburgs at the Battle of Morgarten in November 1315. But when you walk around this beautiful place, you probably won't really care.
Morgarten isn’t just another “lovely place”, the like of which you can find all over Switzerland. Morgarten is unique. Here, the beauty of the Ägeri Valley combines with the mystery of what happened here. Some might call it a “place of power”. In any case, hardly anyone could fail to be impressed by Morgarten. After all, this landscape has a unique connection with emotions, traditions and stories that have shaped Switzerland’s development and self-image.
It is said that here at the Figlenfluh, a path between a steep slope and a swamp, the Confederates hurled boulders and tree trunks at the Habsburgs approaching from Zug. Duke Leopold I and his men were forced to retreat. What exactly happened during this unfriendly encounter – whether it was a real battle or something a bit less dramatic – is still the subject of debate. The historical sources leave plenty of room for speculation. In any case, a hike through the landscape is more fun than this perennial scholarly debate. Tread this ground yourself and you’ll be captivated, no matter your interpretation of the history.
The hike through Morgarten begins in the Canton of Schwyz at the parish church in Sattel. From here, the well-signposted Morgarten Trail takes you across the cantonal border and into the Ägeri Valley to the Morgarten Monument, which is located around two kilometres north of the historic site. You can complete the hike in an hour and a half walking at a brisk pace. However, it’s worth allowing a little more time. You’ll want to enjoy the wonderful observation points and barbecue areas along the way, and there are also some interesting information stations that bring the protagonists of the Morgarten story to life through audio dramas. You’ll get to know the Duke as he discusses the deployment with his loyal men at Zug Castle; the court jester Kuony, who raises a simple question that turns out to be exactly the right one; the knight Heinrich von Hünenberg, who betrays the Habsburgs; and, of course, Landammann Werner Stauffacher.
Do you want to know more? Claudia Wirz set off to Morgarten for our destination magazine #inlovewithzug. Click the download link below for the whole story.