The capital of the Canton of Nidwalden, Stans is the small town where the monument commemorating the heroic death of Arnold von Winkelried during the Battle of Sempach in 1386 can be admired.

According to legend, Winkelried, trapped with his comrades against the tight ranks of the Austrians, who formed an impenetrable wall, threw himself with open arms against the enemy lances and gathered them to his heart, thus throwing the enemy ranks off balance and creating a breach where the Confederates rushed in, snatching victory from an army that far outnumbered them...

Like almost all the founding myths of Switzerland, this is just a legend, reported much later by chroniclers with all the embellishments one can imagine!

The monument is located in the town's main square, which also holds a few other surprises... All the photos on this page, in the gallery and in the slideshow were taken in and around the square.

From April to November, Stans is also the starting point for a spectacular excursion to the Stanserhorn, at an altitude of almost 2000m, with an oldtimer funicular. From there, on a clear day, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of 100km of Alpine peaks and no less than 10 lakes!

But of course this is not the only possible excursion: like the rest of Central Switzerland, the Stans region is a Mecca for all hikers, offering an endless variety of breathtaking landscapes!

Useful links

Swiss Canton of Nidwalden (iSwitzerland Guide) - Wikipedia