Sarnen on the lake of the same name is the capital of Canton Obwalden. The oldest surviving document of the foundation of the Swiss Confederation is kept at the cantonal archive. The town square with its historic buildings is well worth a visit.

The «Weisse Buch von Sarnen» (White Book of Sarnen) written by civic recorder Hans Schriber in 1468 is regarded as the oldest surviving document recording the foundation of the Swiss Confederation. This national treasure is kept at the cantonal archive and describes the arguably most important event in Sarnen’s history: the capture and devastation of the lower castle on the Landenberg above the town’s centre and the eviction of the loathed Habsburg bailiffs.

The Landenberg is Sarnen’s landmark. Only sparse remains of the former castle still exist, but the rococo-style Schützenhaus dating from 1752 and the adjacent former Zeughaus (arsenal) built in 1710 have been preserved.

A group of beautifully preserved historic buildings border the town square, including the Rathaus (town hall), parts of which date back to 1418, and the Maria Lauretana Chapel, originally built in 1556 and rebuilt in 1662 after earthquake damage.

Worthy of mention is the lavishly furbished baroque parish church of St. Peter and Paul, built between 1739 and 1742 as a replacement for the former parish church. The oldest surviving remains in the spire overlooking the valley date back to the 12th century. The chapel near the parish church, the so-called Beinhaus, has a carved wooden ceiling in Gothic style which dates back to 1505 and is of immense cultural and historic value.

The Hexenturm (witch tower) behind the Sarneraa River is a listed building of the Central Switzerland Heritage Preservation Society and part of today’s cantonal archive.

There is a lido and boat mooring facility on the northern shore of the Sarnersee (Lake Sarnen), around ten minutes’ walk from the town centre. Along the path to the lake is the Benedictine monastery with the Sarner Jesuskind (Christ Child); a 50cm high, 14th century Gothic wooden statue. The monastery is a popular pilgrimage site.

The landscape and nature conservation area and high moor Langis on the Glaubenberg above the western lake shore at the far end of the Grosschlierental is an insiders’ tip amongst nature lovers.

Highlights

• Town square – Sarnen’s town square is bordered by several historic buildings including the town hall and the Maria Lauretana Chapel.
• Langis – excursion destination on the Glaubenberg with expansive high moor landscape.
• Location – Sarnen, capital of Canton Obwalden lies in an idyllic pre-Alpine landscape on the northern shore of the Sarnersee (Lake Sarnen).
• Brünig Railway – the narrow gauge route operated by Zentral Railways runs from Interlaken via Brienz and the Brünig Pass along Lake Sarnen to Lucerne and Engelberg. A scenic delight not just for railway enthusiasts.