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About this place
Evangelisch-Reformierte Bergkirche (the Reformed Mountain Church) in Weggis stands in Rigi Kaltbad, a car-free resort village on the slopes of the Rigi above Lake Lucerne in central Switzerland. Clad in natural wood, it was built in 1962–1963 and is one of the most unconventional churches in the region.
Why was a church built on the mountain?
Rigi Kaltbad drew many Protestant visitors, and for a while services were held in a room of the Grand Hotel. As demand for a proper chapel grew, a local pastor and supporters formed an association and raised money from chalet owners on the Rigi and from sympathisers across Switzerland. Construction began in 1962, and the church was inaugurated at Christmas 1963.
What does it look like?
The architect was Ernst Gisel, a name associated with modern Swiss design. The building is set into the steep slope on the valley side, and its walls are covered in natural timber. In the early 1960s the form felt strikingly modern, and not everyone liked it: some had hoped for a traditional picture-postcard chapel. Inside there is room for about 120 people.
Where is it and how do you get there?
The church sits on Unterer Firstweg, a few minutes on foot from the centre of Rigi Kaltbad, in the direction of Rigi First. Kaltbad is reached by cable car from Weggis or by cog railway from Vitznau. The last stretch is a short walk, as the village centre is closed to cars.
What happens here?
The church hosts services, weddings, christenings and cultural events. It belongs to the Reformed parish of Rigi-Südseite, which also covers Weggis, Greppen and Vitznau. Restaurants in Rigi Kaltbad are close by for a drink or a meal afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bergkirche the same as the Reformed church in Weggis village? No. Weggis itself has a separate Reformed church by the lake, dating from 1918–1919. The Bergkirche is higher up in Rigi Kaltbad and dates from 1963.
Who designed it? Ernst Gisel.
How many people does it hold? About 120.
Can you go inside? The church is open for services and events. Check visiting times with the Rigi-Südseite parish (reflu.ch/rigi-suedseite). Press reports from 2026 say the building is little used and needs renovation, and that a sale has been floated.
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