May 4 Part II: Birth Place of Patron Saint of Switzerland, Nicholas von Flüe

(This post published on Aug.5, 2023)

Thursday May 4, 2023 -- After a 2.5-hour hike along the west side of Lake Sarnen on this beautiful early May Day (those photos are HERE), I wanted to continue walking, so at short-notice decided to take the bus from near Sachseln (on the east side of Lake Sarnen) up to the village of Flüeli-Ranft, which is the birthplace of the famous Nicholas von Flüe, Patron Saint of Switzerland (also known as Bruder Klaus). From there I walked another hour downhill along the St.James Trail (Camino de Santiago, Switzerland section), a stretch we had not yet done, and what turned out to be a much nicer trail than expected. (The St.James Trail is mostly on paved roads, the idea being to pass as many towns with pilgrim churches as possible).

Before walking down the hill, I had a quick look inside both the house where he was born in 1417 to a wealthy farming family, and the house where he was married and raised his 10 children from 1445 to 1467, at which point, with the support of his family (!!!) he chose a life of solitude in a small abode in the nearby Ranft Ravine. (At that point his oldest son was 20 and would have been able to help run the farm). In spite of his desire for solitude and to pray, he was much sought after for his political wisdom and ability to negotiate disputes.

On this trip I did not visit the historical site of his hermitage, having visited there in 2014 (those photos are HERE). Instead, I had a quick look at the village church in Flüeli, before descending to Sachseln to admire the fabulous cathedral which was built around his burial place (he died in 1487).

In all I ended up walking for almost four hours and 14 kilometers on this day.

Riding the bus up to Flüeli-Ranft from Sachseln on the east side of Lake Sarnen. Across the valley is the hillside I walked along earlier in the morning.

Approaching the village of Flüeli-Ranft, with the prominent church on the hill.

Village center where the bus stops. What a gorgeous flowering tree! The sign tells me it is just over an hour to walk down to Sachseln, along the St.James Trail, National Trail no.4. I got here shortly after 2 p.m.

This is the family home of Nicholas von Flüe, after he got married and raised 10 children here. (From 1445 onward)

This is what the rooms in the house might have looked like

Main village square. Next stop is the church on the hill

A look across the rooftops of Flüeli village and into the Melch Valley

To the north of the village is the Paxmontana Hotel. The main mountain in the back is Mount Stanserhorn.

The view down to the farms below the church to the west.

The Flüeli Chapel was built in 1614-1618. It has a magnificent wood-paneled ceiling.

The embedded paintings show scenes of Brother Niklaus' life.

Looking down from the church terrace to the old house in the middle of the green meadow, which dates from about 1425 in its form, but it is assumed Niklaus von Flüe was born there in 1417.

A look up to the Flüeli Chapel before taking a look into the birth house.

In 1925 the house was "reconstructed" with aged wood to what one thought it might have originally looked like.

Information about Niklaus von Flüe's birth house. Original foundations dating back to 1300 were found below the house.

What the interior of such an old residence would have looked like.

Some lovely tulips

One more look at the old house before I start down the hill on my second hike of the day.

This trail is part of both No.4: St.James Trail, and no.2: Trans-Swiss Trail as well as a couple of local trails including a trail dedicated to Brother Klaus.

A view of Lake Sarnen on my way down the mountain.

The trail was much nicer than I expected.

I was so pleased to see large trees in full bloom! This is the nicest sight in springtime!

Impressive farm houses

Far across on the north side of the lake is the large Baroque church of St. Peter and Paul, a church we visited when we did the other hike on the west side of Lake Sarnen. (Photos HERE)

Above me on the hillside are several farms and lots of blossoming trees!

Another very nice farmhouse, and a welcome fountain to fill up my water bottle at!

This was very cute!

More and more and lots of blossoming fruit trees!

It is hard work to be a mountain farmer, harvesting mountain hay.

I can't get enough of these high-growth fruit trees in full bloom!

Down below is the town of Sachseln

A close-up look at the pilgrims's church in Sachseln, where Nicholas von Flüe is buried.

An unusual sculpture along the trail on my way down the moutain.

Sachseln Parish church and pilgrim church (1672-84), the burial place of Nicholas von Flüe, Switzerland's Patron Saint. The little building on the right is the burial chapel, it was built around the grave of Nicholas von Flüe.

The burial place of Nicholas von Flüe, who died in 1487. There are other burials here, the stone on the floor has a date of 1763. The cross has historical value, it is a Gothic cross from the middle of the 14th Century.

The front entrance of the large church, it has a beautifully carved door

The interior of the church was quite spectacular, with its black marble columns and arches.

I was not able to get close to the altar, as there was a small private mass for about a dozen youth going on there.

Details of the parish church in Sachseln.

Across from the front of the church where I waited for a while in the hopes that the mass would end soon and I could get close to the altar, but that was unfortunately not the case.