Sisikon on Lake Uri: Tell’s Chapel, Carillon and the Swiss Path

Also worth exploring are the history of the parish church, the boat harbour and the lakeside café. This can help you decide whether Tell’s legend, a cultural visit, the harbour or the landscape should be the main focus of your stay.

The Swiss Path and the “Tellsplatte” Carillon

Sisikon is the starting point of the fourth and final stage of the Swiss Path. Along this popular trail stands the “Tellsplatte” carillon: it has 37 bells and is the largest carillon in Switzerland. The stage information places Sisikon along the route; the number of bells describes the specific carillon on the trail. If you are interested in a hiking route or the carillon, these offer two different points of interest for your stay.

Tell’s Chapel: Legend, Frescoes and Access

Tell’s Chapel connects the landscape on Lake Uri with the legend of William Tell. It stands beside the lake at a spot where, according to legend, William Tell escaped from the bailiff Gessler’s boat with a lifesaving leap. The present-day chapel was built in 1879/80. Four frescoes by Basel painter Ernst Stückelberg depict the Rütli Oath, the apple shot, Tell’s leap and Gessler’s death in the Hohle Gasse. The scenes offer a broader perspective on the story of Tell than the leap alone.

Tell’s Chapel is right beside the Axenstrasse and can be reached by boat or on foot from the car park at Hotel Tellsplatte. If you are planning a visit, check the conditions for your chosen route in advance; local conditions may change.

Church History in Sisikon

The parish church of St. Joseph in Sisikon traces its origins to a small consecrated chapel that already existed in the 13th century. A chapel dedicated to St. Giles was rebuilt and enlarged in 1387 and elevated to the status of a church; a bell tower was added at the same time. The old parish church in Sisikon was demolished in 1968, except for its tower. The new church was built to plans by Richard P. Krieg. These milestones trace the development from a medieval chapel to the later church building. If you are interested in the development of religious architecture, the parish church offers a different focus from Tell’s Chapel.

Boat Harbour and Lakeside Café

Sisikon boat harbour has 160 wet and dry berths, including visitor berths, as well as a crane with a lifting capacity of up to 10 tonnes. Boats can be launched and taken out of the water using the harbour crane and slipway. Capacity figures may change; check the operator’s latest information when planning a visit.

Right on Lake Uri, the lakeside café has a sunny terrace with a view. Its menu includes regional delicacies, seasonal specialities and homemade pastries. The focus here is on the lakeshore and seasonal food. The menu and opening arrangements may change; check the latest information when planning a visit.

Sisikon in a Landscape of National Importance

Sisikon is one of the Uri municipalities within BLN site 1606, “Lake Lucerne with Kernwald, Bürgenstock and Rigi”, a landscape of national importance. This designation adds a broader landscape perspective to individual attractions such as Tell’s Chapel and the carillon. When planning your visit, you can consider whether Tell’s legend, the history of the church and its architecture, or the town’s place in the landscape is most important to you.

Discover more destinations: Isenthal, Bürglen, Bauen, Göschenen, Unterschächen, Gurtnellen, Altdorf, Attinghausen

See the overview of destinations in the region: Uri.