Schwyz, Switzerland — Central Europe (the Alps)

Bahnhofstrasse

— Dorfrundgang Schwyz —

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 20, 2024

1. Bahnhofstrasse Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

ERSCHLIESSUNG Zwischen 1860 und 1890 wird Schwyz in ein überregionales Strassen- und Schienennetz eingebunden. Vor allem der Anschluss an die Gotthardbahn führt zu einem wirtschaftlichen Aufbruch. Da der Bahnhof in Seewen und nicht in Schwyz zu liegen kommt, finanziert 1881 die Gotthardbahn-Gesellschaft die Bahnhofstrasse. Von 1900 bis 1963 stellt das Tram (1) die Verbindung zur Bahnstation sicher, seither der Bus. POSTPLATZ Seit 1900 hat sich die Dorfeinfahrt markant verändert, entstanden hier doch vor allem repräsentative öffentliche Bauten: alte Kantonalbank (1899, heute Kantonspolizei); alte Post (1908 bis 1987); Regierungsgebäude (1927) und neue Kantonalbank (1967). ZEUGHAUS Von 1711 bis 1717 ursprünglich als Kornhaus gebaut, wurde es 1802 zum kantonalen Zeughaus (2). Seit 1995 ist darin das Forum der Schweizer Geschichte untergebracht, eine Aussenstelle des Schweizerischen Landesmuseums und ein Geschenk des Bundes zur 700-Jahr-Feier der Eidgenossenschaft. Es ist eines der bedeutendsten kulturhistorischen Museen des Alpenraums und zeigt anhand von rund 800 Objekten Alltag und Kultur zwischen 1300 und 1800.

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HOFMATT Das Leben auf der Hofmatt (3) war während zwei Jahrhunderten durch das Zeughaus, die Lateinschule mit Theatersaal im Vorgängerbau der Credit Suisse und die Dorfwaschhütte im heutigen Jugendheim geprägt. Bis 1934 stand auf der Matte auch das Pfrundhaus, wo Frühmesser und Pfarrhelfer wohnten. Ab den 1960er Jahren diente die einstige Wiese als Parkplatz, der 1996 durch das Parkhaus und die Anlage für öffentliche Anlässe ersetzt wurde.

(English translation:)
DEVELOPMENT Between 1860 and 1890, Schwyz was integrated into a supra-regional road and rail network. The connection to the Gotthard Railway in particular led to an economic upturn. As the train station was to be located in Seewen and not in Schwyz, the Gotthard Railway Company financed the Bahnhofstrasse in 1881. From 1900 to 1963, the tram (1) provided the connection to the train station, and since then it has been the bus.

POST OFFICE SQUARE Since 1900, the entrance to the village has changed significantly, with the construction of mainly representative public buildings: the old cantonal bank (1899, now the cantonal police station); the old post office (1908 to 1987);

Bahnhofstrasse Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 20, 2024

2. Bahnhofstrasse Marker - wide view

the government building (1927) and the new cantonal bank (1967).

ARMOURY Originally built as a granary between 1711 and 1717, it became the cantonal armoury in 1802 (2). Since 1995 it has housed the Forum of Swiss History, an outpost of the Swiss National Museum and a gift from the federal government to mark the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. It is one of the most important cultural history museums in the Alpine region and uses around 800 objects to show everyday life and culture between 1300 and 1800.

HOFFMATT For two centuries, life on Hofmatt (3) was shaped by the armory, the Latin school with theater hall in the Credit Suisse building that preceded it, and the village washhouse in what is now the youth center. Until 1934, the parish house, where early mass priests and parish assistants lived, also stood on the mat. From the 1960s, the former meadow served as a parking lot, which was replaced in 1996 by the parking garage and the facility for public events.

(Marker Number 1.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 47° 1.265′ N,

Bahnhofstrasse Marker photo image. Click for full size.

3. Bahnhofstrasse Marker photo

Showing the 1) tram, 2) armory, and 3) Hoffmatt.

8° 39.114′ E. Marker is in Schwyz. It is on Bahnhofstrasse near Pfarrgasse, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located under a tree by the public toilets/parking structure. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Schwyz 6430, Switzerland. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

Central Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 3 other markers are within 10 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rathaus/ City Hall (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Heiligkreuzkapelle / “Holy Cross Chapel” (about 150 meters away); Willkommen am Morgarten! / Welcome to Morgarten! (approx. 9.5 kilometers away in Zug).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 29, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.