Winkelrieddenkmal

Winkelried Monument in Stans stands on the village square of the capital of Nidwalden, a canton in central Switzerland. It honours Arnold Winkelried, a figure from the heart of Swiss national storytelling.

Who was Winkelried, and why Stans?

Legend says that at the Battle of Sempach in 1386, Winkelried threw himself onto the Habsburg lances and cleared a gap for the Confederate fighters. He is tied to Nidwalden, so Stans gave him its grandest tribute. Whether he really lived has long been debated. Many twentieth-century scholars doubted it, and later research regards his existence as plausible, though the period sources do not prove it.

What will you see?

The monument was unveiled in 1865. Its creator was Ferdinand Schlöth, a sculptor from Basel who worked in Rome. The group of three figures is carved in Carrara marble and sits inside a neo-Gothic hall designed by Ferdinand Stadler. Schlöth reworked his proposal twice before winning the commission in 1856.

The idea for a new memorial came from Anton Albert Durrer, who thought the earlier Winkelried statue, set up in 1723 on the town's central fountain, had become outdated. He also led the fundraising. The dedication on 3 September 1865 drew more than 8,000 people, including delegations from the federal authorities and the cantons.

How do you get there?

The monument is on Dorfplatz in the middle of Stans, beside the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul. Trains run from Lucerne to Stans, and the square is a few minutes' walk from the station. There is no admission charge, since the monument is in an open public space and can be viewed at any hour.

When should you visit?

Stans holds a commemoration for Winkelried each year on 9 July. Sempach, the battle site, marks the occasion on the last Saturday of June. Pick one of those dates for a local atmosphere. On other days, combine the monument with a stroll through the old centre and a look inside the church.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry free? Yes. The monument stands on a public square and needs no ticket.

Who designed it? The sculptor was Ferdinand Schlöth of Basel, and the neo-Gothic hall is by Ferdinand Stadler.

What is the sculpture made of? Carrara marble, in a group of three figures.

When are the ceremonies held? On 9 July in Stans and on the last Saturday of June in Sempach.