Nidewalden is an inland canton. It belongs to the Swiss Confederation and is located in Central Switzerland. Its capital is Stans. The neighboring cantons of Nidwalden are Uri, Obwalden, Bern, Lucerne and Schwyz. Nidwalden is also exclusively surrounded by other inland cantons.
A visit to Nidwalden
Many who have been to Nidewalden like to come back again. The people of Nidwalden are very hospitable and responsive. The sights in the canton are among the most popular attractions for tourists in Europe. The Vierwaldstätterssee, also called Lake Luzer n, is one of them. Here, visitors are given the opportunity to actively experience the lake through many attractive activities and to make the day of excursion or vacation a great experience.
The adventure mountain and the Klewenalp hiking area, which is also very popular among winter sports enthusiasts, are well worth a visit. If you want to relax and enjoy nature at the same time, you should take a look at the Blumenberg Stanserhorn. Here you can also find the nostalgic and historical Stanserhorn Railway from 1893. Another crowd puller is the Titlis Glacier. This is a very well-known excursion destination and very popular among winter sports enthusiasts.
In general, the landscapes of the canton of Nidwalden invite you to go on hikes, bike rides and long walks. In winter, tobogganers, skiers and snowboarders get their money’s worth.
The posh spa town of Bürgenstock has been known for its luxury vacationers since 1872. This is where the rich and famous come to relax from the stress of everyday life and indulge in the tranquility of the mountains. The highest open-air elevator in Europe is also located here.
Of course, the lake landscape offers an excellent opportunity for water sports. Whether swimming, diving, sailing or boating, everything is possible here. Anglers will also have real pleasure in this canton.
The history of the canton of Nidwalden
The national dish raclette was mentioned for the first time in a medieval manuscript from the monasteries of Obwalden and Nidwalden. The famous Wilhelm Tell is said to have eaten the hot cheese as early as 1291. Even today, the Swiss cheese raclette or fondue is one of the canton’s culinary highlights. You should at least have tasted it during a visit.
The first national territories were formed in the 14th and 15th centuries. At that time they were a kind of country parishes and courts. A whole group of MPs met and discussed decisions. There were always differences between Obwalden and Nidwalden. Obwalden did not take part in annexing Bellinzona, Riviera and Blenio. Today these are parts of Ticino.
The Nidwalder served as mercenaries in foreign services at the beginning of the 16th century. Many of them emigrated forever. The French troops marched into Nidwalden on September 9, 1798. The canton was devastated and over 400 people were killed. This day went under the name “Horrible Days of Nidwalden” into the story. As in many other cantons in Switzerland, after the fall of Emperor Napoleon in 1814, the changes he made were changed or reversed. It was not until 1997that the rural parishes were abolished.
