Bauen on Lake Uri

Bauen lies at 436 m above sea level on the western shore of Lake Uri, at the foot of Oberbauen and Niederbauen. When choosing a place to stay, both its lakeside setting and its historic paths and buildings shape the view of the village. In the sheltered bay of Bauen, figs, apricots, persimmons, kiwis, quinces, and grapes grow alongside sweet chestnuts and palm trees. These plants give the village a southern appearance.

Village Center Between the Lakeshore and the Mountains

Several mountain streams deposited material, creating the buildable site on which Bauen stands. The Bauer or Hutzbach stream flows through the village center. The historic village center also tells the story of how the village developed: its compact, clustered buildings on the lakeshore include farmhouses, homes, and inns from the 18th and 19th centuries. Rather than focusing on just one building, you can take in the village’s compact layout here.

Bauen’s History and Buildings

Bauen was first mentioned in 1150. Historical forms of its name include Bauen, Bawen, and Bauwen. A first chapel was built in 1360 and was subordinate to the monastery in Seedorf. The parish church of St. Idda in Bauen has a neoclassical facade.

Another building connects local history with Swiss musical history: the Zwyssighaus is the birthplace of Father Alberik Zwyssig, composer of the Swiss Psalm. Built in 1796, the house is a typical original Swiss timber-block construction. If you are interested in the village’s history, both the building style and the composer’s biography take center stage here.

Historic Paths and Hikes

The old country path between Seelisberg and Bauen was already part of a north-south transit route in the 12th century. Along the path are many natural-stone walls that date back to the time when the Swiss Confederation was founded. A bridge over the Bauerbach completes the route. The hike along the old country path takes about an hour; check current trail conditions before setting out.

A stage of the Swiss Path also begins in Bauen. The 35 km route offers opportunities for hiking, a midday break in Bauen, and swimming in the bay in summer. These details give you different points of reference for planning: a hike of about an hour along the old country path or a stage on the longer Swiss Path.

Swimming Area and Time by the Water

The swimming lawn in Bauen has a barbecue area, a shower, changing cabins, and a restroom. As the facilities may change, check them on site before visiting. Children can fish in a peaceful setting on the swimming lawn. Check the current access and usage conditions in advance.

Boat services are also relevant to planning your day: Bauen is a stop for the Lake Lucerne Navigation Company, where passengers can board and disembark. If you would like to include a boat trip, check the timetable. This lets you plan the paths, lakeshore, and boat journey separately.

Discover more destinations: Seelisberg, Altdorf, Realp, Hospental, Spiringen, Isenthal, Attinghausen, Erstfeld

Back to the main travel overview: Uri.