City: Schwyz

Schwyz is the capital of the district and the canton (parts of the community: Schwyz, Ibach, Seewen, Rickenbach, Aufiberg, Ried, Haggen, Oberschönenbruch). According to Swiss statistics, the rank of a “city” is measured by the population. Nevertheless, Schwyz has maintained the historical character of a “spot”, although for some time, after decades of stagnation, a dynamic development took place. Despite the rural area, just under 5 percent of the working population still work in agriculture. In contrast, there are many commercial enterprises. The industry is well represented with larger companies: knife factory, confectionery tools, wine trade, distillery, steel construction, stone and gravel, printing, quilts. Other important employers are the cantonal administration, the regional hospital, various banks and two large shopping centers.

In Schwyz is the Federal Charter Museum with the federal letter of 1291 and other old documents and banners of the old Confederates. The main facade is adorned by a mural by the Urn painter Heinrich Danioth.

Richly equipped is the living museum in the Ital Redin house. To visit is also the old house Bethlehem from the time of the founding of Switzerland as well as the Schwyzer Schatzturm. A counterpoint is the modern forum of Schwyzer history. Here, the story does not take place in the mere backward consideration, but becomes a living engagement with past, present and future.

In 1991, the “Mythenspiel” ventured a new approach to dramaturgical staging of the founding history. Old customs such as the “Chlefelen” and “Fasnach”t with the rhythmic jester dance of the historical “Maschgaraden” characters are u.a. maintained by the Schwyzer “Nüssler”.

The most prominent visible feature of Schwyz are the rock pyramids above the basin: the Great and the Little Myths. In particular, the Great Myth is a destination for hikers.

Noteworthy are the Catholic parish church of St. Martin with rococo altars and marble pulpit and stucco marble by the altar carver Andrea Galetti from San Fedele Intelvi, the Dominican convent St.Peter am Bach, the Kerchel (Ossuary) with the Holy Cross Chapel and the Town Hall.

“Bundesbriefmuseum” with the oldest documents and banners of the developing Confederation.
Swiss History Forum (Branch of the Swiss National Museum)
Residential Museum Itral Redin House (17th century)