Sempach
Sempach is at the southeastern end of the lake of the same name in Canton Luzern. The St. Jakob Chapel and Winkelried stone commemorate the Swiss victory at the Battle of Sempach in 1386. The ornithological institute is also worth visiting.
Sempach was founded by the Habsburgs in the Middle Ages to oversee the trade traffic on the route over the Gotthard, but is better known for the historic battle <>. The chapel dedicated to St. Jakob above the town commemorates the victory of Luzern over Austria in 1386. According to legend, the Winkelried stone marks the spot where Winkelried sacrificed his life in order to secure victory for the Swiss.
Like all municipalities around the Sempachersee, Sempach was settled very early, documented by excavations that uncovered Neolithic and Bronze Age lake dwellings.
Worth seeing in the town are the Hexenturm (witch tower), the red and white half timbered Rathaus dating from 1474 (local history and grain farming museum) as well as several old buildings along the Dorfstrasse. A teddy bear museum was opened in 2000.
The headquarters of the Swiss Ornithological Institute (Vogelwarte), which monitors bird migration paths and breeding populations, is at Sempach. The institute is a popular destination for excursions and provides a wealth of information on domestic birds. The information path through the grounds leads past the aviaries and pond with aquatic birds.
The St. Martin Church in Kirchbühl, dating from around 1000, is situated directly next to Sempach and has lovely views over the Sempachersee, a popular area for hiking and water sports.
Like all municipalities around the Sempachersee, Sempach was settled very early, documented by excavations that uncovered Neolithic and Bronze Age lake dwellings.
Worth seeing in the town are the Hexenturm (witch tower), the red and white half timbered Rathaus dating from 1474 (local history and grain farming museum) as well as several old buildings along the Dorfstrasse. A teddy bear museum was opened in 2000.
The headquarters of the Swiss Ornithological Institute (Vogelwarte), which monitors bird migration paths and breeding populations, is at Sempach. The institute is a popular destination for excursions and provides a wealth of information on domestic birds. The information path through the grounds leads past the aviaries and pond with aquatic birds.
The St. Martin Church in Kirchbühl, dating from around 1000, is situated directly next to Sempach and has lovely views over the Sempachersee, a popular area for hiking and water sports.
Highlights
- Battle of Sempach – July 9 1386 victory of the Swiss over the Habsburgs. The chapel dedicated to St. Jakob (1472/73), the Winkelried stone (1864) and an inn commemorate the battle.
- Vogelwarte Sempach – the Swiss Ornithological Institute has a permanent exhibition, aviaries, a pond in the grounds and a lakeside observation platform.
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Contact Information Sempachersee Tourismus
Theaterstrasse 9
6210 Sursee
Tel. +41 (0)41 920 44 44
Fax +41 (0)41 920 45 28
info@sempachersee-tourismus
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