Switzerland’s Beginning on the Rütli Meadow

The Rütli Meadow: Birthplace of the Swiss Confederation


Reading Time:   4 Min.

Publication:       August 13, 2025, Jonathan Schönholzer


Nestled above Lake Lucerne, in the heart of central Switzerland, lies a quiet patch of land that holds immense symbolic power: the Rütli meadow. Though unassuming in appearance, this site is deeply etched into the national consciousness as the legendary birthplace of the Swiss Confederation. For centuries, it has stood as a symbol of unity, liberty, and resistance, core values of the early Swiss identity.

A Place of Legend and Legacy

The Rütli meadow is most famously linked to the Rütlischwur, or Rütli Oath, a foundational legend in Swiss history. According to tradition, on this very meadow in the year 1291, representatives from the three founding cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden gathered in secret. They pledged mutual support and defense against the domination of foreign powers, particularly the Habsburgs. This pact is widely regarded as the beginning of the Swiss Confederation.

While the exact historical accuracy of the Rütli Oath is debated, its symbolic power is undeniable. The story gained prominence in the 19th century during a period of rising nationalism in Europe, and it was popularized by Friedrich Schiller’s drama “Wilhelm Tell” (1804). In Schiller’s telling, the Rütli becomes the scene of a solemn vow to fight for freedom, setting the stage for the revolt against tyranny. The dramatic imagery of humble farmers standing against an empire captured the imagination of the Swiss people and reinforced the notion of Switzerland as a nation forged from grassroots solidarity rather than top-down monarchy.

A Site of National Ceremony

The Rütli meadow is not just a symbol of mythic past, it continues to play a role in modern Swiss civic life. Every year on August 1st, Switzerland’s National Day, official ceremonies are held at the Rütli to commemorate the founding of the Confederation. Speeches, flag processions, and traditional music honor both the history and the ongoing democratic values of the Swiss state. The setting itself, quiet, natural, and remote, reinforces the ideal of a nation born not in palaces or parliaments, but in the open landscape, by the will of free citizens.

Preserving the Legacy

In 1859, as nationalism swept across Europe and interest in the Rütli surged, there was concern that private buyers might commercialize or alter the site. In response, the Schweizerische Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft (Swiss Society for Public Utility) purchased the land to protect it. Today, the meadow is managed by this nonprofit organization, ensuring that it remains open to the public and free from development. Visitors can reach it by boat across Lake Lucerne, followed by a short walk through the forest, an approach that adds to the atmosphere of reverence.

In addition, the nearby Bundesbriefmuseum (Museum of the Federal Charter) in Schwyz offers visitors a deeper understanding of the early days of the Confederation. The museum houses the Federal Charter of 1291, considered Switzerland’s founding document. 

For those interested in exploring the broader historical and cultural development of Switzerland, the Swiss National Museum (Landesmuseum Zürich) provides a comprehensive overview. Its permanent exhibition on Swiss identity and nation-building places the Rütli legend within the larger narrative of Switzerland’s emergence as a federal state.


A Timeless Symbol

Whether viewed as a site of historic fact or enduring myth, the Rütli meadow remains one of the most powerful symbols of Swiss democracy and federalism. It evokes the idea that even in times of political uncertainty or external threat, a shared commitment to freedom and cooperation can form the basis of a strong and stable society.

In its quiet simplicity, the Rütli speaks not of grand battles or royal decrees, but of agreement, unity, and the power of common people to shape their destiny, values that still resonate in Switzerland today.

All information provided without guarantee


Image sources: Seb Mooze via Unsplash;  Meyer, F via Wikimedia Commons

Location: Rütli, 6441 Seelisberg, Switzerland

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