Einsiedeln: Monastery Culture, Pilgrim Routes and Lake Sihl

In the canton of Schwyz, the district of Einsiedeln comprises the town of Einsiedeln as well as Bennau, Egg, Willerzell, Euthal, Gross and Trachslau. The town of Einsiedeln lies on a broad, moor-rich plateau at around 880 metres above sea level. Its rural character and Alpine foothill landscape provide the setting for stays that combine local history, pilgrimage traditions and trails through nature.

Monastery and Cultural History

The Baroque monastery complex and prominent parts of the town have a complex architectural history. The monastery square took on its present form from the mid-18th century onwards and was further adapted in the 19th and 20th centuries. On a guided tour organised by the Einsiedeln Tourist Office, you can discover the monastery church, the Chapel of Grace, the Black Madonna and the abbey library. The library is not otherwise open to the public; check the tour schedule in advance.

The scriptorium in the monastery’s main building includes a museum area about writing and bookmaking, with some exhibits that visitors can touch. Workshops offer an introduction to writing historical scripts with a quill and ink; advance registration is required. Set against the history of this pilgrimage destination, the exhibition at Museum Fram tells the stories of researchers and inventors, publishers and priests, as well as theatre professionals and musicians.

Chärnehus regularly hosts exhibitions about Einsiedeln and its people. The exhibition group creates a new exhibition around Christmas approximately every two years; themes and dates vary. Panorama Einsiedeln offers a different kind of experience: the 19th-century circular painting is 100 metres long and 10 metres high and depicts the crucifixion of Christ. Seasonal opening arrangements may change, so check the current opening times when planning your visit.

Local customs also add a distinctive note to the area’s cultural history. The Feast of the Angel Consecration (Engelweihe) is held at the monastery every year, with the date changing from year to year. The bread-throwing tradition on Shrove Tuesday is an old Einsiedeln custom that can be traced back to the 17th century.

Pilgrim Routes, Moorland and Views

The Way of St. James passes through Einsiedeln. The fourth stage of the ViaJacobi runs from Rapperswil over Etzel Pass to Einsiedeln, crossing Switzerland’s longest wooden footbridge along the way. A hike to Etzel can begin in the monastery village. After the climb, Hoch-Etzel, at 1,098 metres, offers panoramic views of the Alpine range, as well as Lake Sihl and Lake Zurich; visibility depends on the weather.

Another specific route is the third stage of the Sihl ErlebnisWeg: it leads from Willerzell across Lake Sihl and through the Roblosen moorland to Einsiedeln. Hiking trails around Einsiedeln also pass through moorland and forests, as well as over gentle hills. You can choose a route based on whether you would prefer a long-distance hiking stage, a trail through moorland or a hike with views of lakes and the Alps. Check seasonal trail conditions before setting out.

Lake Sihl and Seasonal Activities

Lake Sihl, with an area of 10.81 square kilometres, lies within the Einsiedeln district. The Sihlsee Sailing Club holds two major regatta weekends each year, attracting national and international participants. Check the specific dates and participation details for your planned year of travel. A path runs along the lakeshore, past the St. Benedict statue, to Badi Roblosen; access along the lakeshore may vary by season.

There are eight cross-country ski trails in and around Einsiedeln, groomed for both classic and skating techniques and ranging from 2 to 22 kilometres in length. A shorter, themed option is the two-kilometre Bolzberg–Trachslau adventure trail, with seven stations designed to encourage children and their parents to join in and try things out. There are also small ski areas around Einsiedeln, with opportunities for skiing, sledging and walking. Check seasonal operations and snow conditions before travelling.

Regional Specialities and Active Experiences

At the Schafbock and Gingerbread Museum in the “Goldapfel”, historical machinery, original documents and baking utensils from around the turn of the century offer insights into the history of regional baking and pilgrimage traditions. Traditional Einsiedeln gingerbread and the distinctive Schafbock, made from sweet honey dough, are produced and sold at the “Goldapfel”. The museum has seasonal opening hours; check the current shop opening hours as well when planning your visit.

On a public guided tour of the Einsiedeln Dairy, you can get a live look at cheese production and see the ageing cellar where mountain cheese is stored; the tour also includes a cheese and yoghurt tasting. Reservations are recommended. The Einsiedeln FoodTrail combines regional specialities with insights into the town’s history. The culinary treasure hunt takes about four hours; groups may need to make reservations.

Other activities offer different experiences: the four summer ski jumps at the entrance to the village are used for training, competitions, events and guided tours; check current use and tour availability before visiting. You can use a mountain bike, BMX, scooter, skateboard or inline skates on the pump track. Maintenance work may temporarily affect access.

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