Ruetli

Name: Ruetli
Address: Schifflaende, Seelisberg, 6377, Seelisberg, 6377, CH
Telephone: +41 41 820 12 74

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About

Ruetli is a mountain meadow in Seelisberg on Lake Lucerne, traditionally named as the Swiss Confederacy’s founding oath site.

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Swiss tradition places the Confederacy’s founding oath on this meadow.
The meadow hosts a Swiss National Day celebration on 1 August.
The Swiss Path hiking trail starts here.
On 25 July 1940, General Henri Guisan briefed senior officers here on the Réduit defence plan and called for resistance.

Schwurplatz and DreiländerbrunnenAt the designated oath site, the fountain built in 1865 has three springs symbolising the founding cantons.On the meadow
Musée GrütliA small museum stands halfway up the ascent path.Halfway up the ascent path

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The Swiss Public Utility Society continues to manage the meadow.
Grütli - Wikipedia
1860
A monument to Friedrich Schiller near the meadow was unveiled on 21 October 1860.
Grütli - Wikipedia
1941
In 1941, 5,000 athletes carried torches lit at the meadow across Uri to kindle anniversary fires.
Grütli - Wikipedia

Traditional Swiss history identifies the meadow as the site of the Rütlischwur, the oath marking the Confederacy’s founding.

Around 1470The Rütlischwur story appeared in the Weissen Buch von Sarnen.
Early 18th centuryThe meadow became a place for patriotic Swiss gatherings.
Helvetic RepublicIt became a pilgrimage site for conservatives and patriots.
1804Friedrich Schiller’s play Wilhelm Tell helped make the meadow a national symbol.
1820Johann Georg Krauer wrote the Rütlilied, and Franz Josef Greith composed its melody.

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1859The Schweizerische Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft bought the meadow to prevent a hotel from being built.
1860The society transferred it to the Confederation as inalienable national property.
1869A steamer landing stage was built; the steamer Rütli began service the following year.
1872–1873A hiking trail from Seelisberg was built.
1880Part of the shore rock face was removed to make room for a port.
1884Scheduled steamships began serving the meadow.

Allow for a walk: the meadow is reached only on foot, from the lakeshore landing or from Seelisberg.

BoatThe easiest approach is by boat from Brunnen to the lakeshore landing.
On footWalk down from Seelisberg, which stands about 350 metres above the meadow.

Where

Schifflaende, Seelisberg, 6377

Is the date of the founding oath at Ruetli known?

No. The oath is a legend, and its exact date and circumstances are unknown.

How were Ruetli’s grounds prepared for visitors?

From 1860 to 1862, paths were added, trees were planted and the boat station was relocated.

Why has Ruetli meadow remained undeveloped?

Its transfer to the Confederation required it to remain inalienable national property, preserving its natural and national character.

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