Denkmal an den Aufstand gegen die Franzosen und Pestkreuze

The Monument to the uprising against the French and the plague crosses in Ennetmoos form a memorial site in the municipality of Ennetmoos, canton of Nidwalden, central Switzerland. The main feature is an obelisk in the Allweg hamlet that marks the battle of 9 September 1798, one of the most painful episodes in the canton's history.

What does the monument commemorate?

In 1798 Switzerland came under the Helvetic Republic, backed by French troops, and Nidwalden refused to accept the change. The decisive fight, still known locally as the "Überfall" (the assault), took place around Allweg. Defenders first held up the advance by using the terrain well, but around midday they were outnumbered and had to give way. Cantonal sources put the dead at roughly a hundred fighters on each side, followed by more than three hundred Nidwalden civilians killed in later massacres. Ennetmoos was badly ravaged: houses, barns and several chapels were destroyed and rebuilt in the early 1800s.

What does the monument look like?

The obelisk was carved by sculptor Alois Z'graggen in 1900, about a century after the events. It stands at the foot of the road up to Rotzberg, in the Allweg district. Entry is free and the site can be visited all year. A neoclassical chapel of St. Magnus stands close by.

What are the plague crosses?

The heritage-register name also mentions plague crosses, the wayside crosses that communities raised in earlier centuries to ask for protection from epidemics. In central Switzerland they are part of a wider devotional landscape of chapels and shrines. For details on the individual crosses at Ennetmoos, consult the canton's cultural property inventory.

How do you get to Allweg?

Ennetmoos lies between Stans and Lake Lucerne, a short drive from Stans. Driving or cycling from Stans, Buochs or Rotzloch is the simplest option. The coordinates are roughly 46.958 N, 8.338 E. There are no tickets or opening hours; a quarter of an hour is enough to see the obelisk and its surroundings.

When should you visit?

The monument is accessible in every season. The most interesting moment is around 9 September, when Ennetmoos hosts a historical shooting contest ("Überfallschiessen") and Swiss wrestling ("Überfallschwingen") linked to the anniversary. In summer the stop pairs well with a walk on the nearby hills and views toward the lake.

What else is nearby?

Rotzberg castle, on the same hill, is one of the oldest castles in the region. In Stans, the cantonal capital, a separate plaque for the 1798 uprising hangs in the ossuary, so both memorials fit into a single day.

Frequently asked questions

Is the monument free to visit? Yes. The Allweg obelisk is open to everyone at no charge, all year round.

When was the battle of Allweg fought? On 9 September 1798, between Nidwalden fighters and French troops acting for the Helvetic government.

Who made the obelisk? Sculptor Alois Z'graggen, in 1900.

How long does a visit take? About fifteen minutes for the monument alone; with a short walk to the chapel and up to Rotzberg, plan on an hour or ninety minutes.