Kapelle St. Josef

Chapel St. Joseph in Alpnachstad is a small chapel built in 1702 in the hamlet of Alpnachstad, part of the municipality of Alpnach in the canton of Obwalden. The hamlet sits on Lake Alpnach, an arm of Lake Lucerne, at the foot of Mount Pilatus. The chapel makes a quiet stop on a walk through a place that was a key lake crossing and cargo point in central Switzerland.

What is this chapel?

The chapel dates from 1702 and is recorded in the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland under the entry for Alpnachstad. Swiss archives also hold plans and documentation on it from 1991. It is a local landmark rather than a ticketed attraction, so treat it as a stop along a stroll through the hamlet instead of a destination with set visiting hours.

What else is there to see in Alpnachstad?

For centuries the hamlet lived off transport. Residents held the rights to ferry traffic on the lake and ran the service as a cooperative: nine rights existed in 1424 and five in 1668. A transshipment house (Sust) was built in 1578 and replaced in 1784 by a new one designed by master builder Jakob Singer. It was pulled down after the Brünig railway opened in 1889, which also ended the ferry service.

From the mid-19th century visitors arrived by steamship to climb Pilatus. From 1863 the Hotel Pilatus in the hamlet organised excursions up the mountain, even by sedan chair. In 1889 the Pilatus cog railway opened, and it still starts here. Its valley station is now Alpnachstad's main draw.

How do you get there?

Alpnachstad lies on the Brünig line between Lucerne and Interlaken, and boats from Lucerne call at the Pilatus railway landing. The hamlet is small, so the chapel is a short walk from the station. By car, follow the road from Lucerne towards Alpnach and look for parking near the valley station.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer is busiest. The cog railway usually runs from May to November, and the lake draws windsurfers. A trail around Lake Alpnach takes about four hours on foot, and the chapel fits neatly into that walk or a trip up the mountain.

Frequently asked questions

When was the chapel built? In 1702, according to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.

Is the chapel the main reason to visit Alpnachstad? Usually not. Most visitors come for the Pilatus cog railway, and the chapel is an add-on to a walk.

How do I get here from Lucerne? By Brünig line train or by boat on the lake. Driving towards Alpnach is also straightforward.

What else is nearby? The Pilatus cog railway, the shore of Lake Alpnach and the walking trail around the lake.