Gersau
Between the lake and the steep slopes of the Rigi lies Gersau, whose south-facing position has earned it the name of the Riviera of Lake Lucerne. Chestnuts and figs thrive here, and the history is just as remarkable: from 1433 to 1817 Gersau was an independent republic, the smallest in the world.
What makes Gersau special
- Lakeside promenade and lido: ideal for a day of swimming with a view of the Bürgenstock and Pilatus.
- Boat landing: Gersau is a stop for the scheduled boats, perfect for a round trip from Brunnen or Lucerne.
- Sweet chestnuts: thanks to the mild climate, chestnuts ripen on the slopes and are harvested in autumn.
- The Rigi from Gersau: the cable car from Rotschuo to Rigi Burggeist takes walkers up to 1,550 metres, on the quiet side of the Rigi.
- Car ferry to Beckenried: the shortest link towards Nidwalden and an adventure for children.
The smallest republic in the world
Gersau bought its freedom from feudal rule in 1390 and from 1433 was a self-governing community in its own right, allied with the Confederates but subject to no one. For almost four centuries the village governed itself, with its own Landsgemeinde assembly and its own court. Only in 1817 was Gersau incorporated into the Canton of Schwyz.
Walk through the village centre and you find traces of that era: the town hall, the church above the lake and the stately houses of the silk manufacturers who brought prosperity in the nineteenth century. The republic remains part of the village's identity to this day, and the title of smallest republic in the world is carried on with evident pleasure.
A mild climate on the south-facing slope
Gersau lies at the foot of the Rigi, sheltered from the north and open to the sun. The water of the lake stores additional warmth. That is why sweet chestnuts and figs thrive on the slopes, and why the village already had a reputation as a health resort in the nineteenth century.
For visitors that means a long bathing season, mild evenings on the quay and, in autumn, a chestnut season celebrated in the village. On the other hand, Gersau takes the full force of the foehn, which can whip the lake into waves within a short time.
Tip: Boat from Brunnen to Gersau, hike up to Rigi Scheidegg and return by train: one of the finest day trips in the region.
Getting there
By bus from Brunnen or Schwyz along the lakeside road, by boat, or by car with parking by the lake.
The loveliest way to arrive is by scheduled boat. From Brunnen it takes just a few minutes; from Lucerne it becomes a short voyage along the steep shores. If you want to walk, combine the outward journey by boat with a return over the Rigi or along the shore to Brunnen.
Public transport: Train to Brunnen, bus to Gersau. Or by scheduled boat from Brunnen, Vitznau or Lucerne.
