Witch Execution
The last execution of a witch by beheading in Central Europe took place in Glarus in 1782. This dark event marked the end of an era of witch hunts and trials in the region.
Glarus · · 💀 Dark history
Discover 22 curated stories about Glarus in Switzerland — covering hidden gems, dark history, legends, weird facts and funny anecdotes.
The last execution of a witch by beheading in Central Europe took place in Glarus in 1782. This dark event marked the end of an era of witch hunts and trials in the region.
Glarus · · 💀 Dark history
On the night of April 9, 1388, the Austrian army, while plundering villages and farms, was taken by surprise by the Glarners, who emerged from the snow and fog, leading to a brief but decisive battle…
Näfels · · 💀 Dark history
The residents of Weesen secretly opened the city gates to the Habsburg troops, leading to the 'Mordnacht von Weesen' where many Eidgenossen, mostly Glarner, were killed in their sleep. This event ult…
Weesen · · 💀 Dark history
In the chaos of the Battle of Näfels, many Austrian knights drowned in the Linth river while fleeing, as a bridge collapsed under their weight. This dramatic event marked the end of Austrian dominanc…
Linth river · · 💀 Dark history
A 35-year-old woman, Dunja M., was sexually abused as a child at the Flueblüemli children's home in Braunwald, and despite the authorities' knowledge of the abuse, they failed to take action.
Flueblüemli children's home · · 💀 Dark history
Witnesses reported that the Bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana had no visible emergency exits during a tragic New Year's Eve event.
Bar Le Constellation · · 💀 Dark history
The city of Glaris holds the record for the strongest gust of wind ever recorded in the Swiss plains, with a whopping 190 km/h on July 15, 1985. This extreme weather event is a testament to the regio…
Glaris · · 🤯 Weird
In 1864, Glaris introduced the first European law to protect workers, limiting their working hours to 12 hours a day. This groundbreaking legislation paved the way for modern labor laws.
Glaris · · 🏛️ Legendary
The canton of Glarus was the scene of a brutal battle in 1388, where the Habsburgs were defeated by the Glaronnais. The battle marked a significant turning point in the history of the region.
Näfels · · 💀 Dark history
The Glarner and Eidgenossen destroyed the Habsburg city of Weesen as an act of revenge after the Battle of Näfels, and it was not rebuilt until 1838, when a schoolhouse was constructed on the site.
Weesen · · 💀 Dark history
During the Battle of Näfels in 1388, Austrian troops were ambushed and disorganized by the Swiss Confederates using avalanches of tree trunks, leading to a decisive Swiss victory. The Austrians were…
Näfels · · 🏛️ Legendary
The Battle of Näfels in 1388 was a decisive victory for the Swiss Confederates over the Habsburgs, with 2,500 Austrians killed and only 54 Swiss casualties. This battle led to a peace treaty being si…
Näfels · · 💀 Dark history
Every year, the citizens of Glarus assemble on the Zaunplatz square to vote and discuss state business in a form of direct democracy called Landsgemeinde, which has led to surprising results, such as…
Zaunplatz · 🤯 Weird
A bus stop shelter in Illnau-Effretikon was put up for auction on Ricardo, with the city trying to sell it in the spirit of recycling, and the starting bid was set at 5,000 francs.
Illnau-Effretikon · · 🤯 Weird
At the ESAF 2025 event, a young Glarner startup, Tagtraum Clothing, pulled off a clever prank by placing fake parking tickets on cars, which turned out to be promotional flyers with a 20% discount co…
Flugplatz Mollis · · 😂 Funny
A secret bar called Le Bar Clandestin was discovered behind the Bar Le Constellation in Crans-Montana, built into the rock face.
Bar Le Constellation · · 🔍 Hidden gems
The city of Glaris was ravaged by a devastating fire in 1861, which led to the reconstruction of the city center in a grid pattern. This unusual planning decision gives the city a unique character. T…
Glaris City Center · · 🤯 Weird
The poudrière de Schwanden, a former gunpowder magazine, is a testament to the separation of the military in Glarus during the 16th century. The building stands as a reminder of the region's complex…
Schwanden · · 🔍 Hidden gems
The Battle of Näfels led to a peculiar tradition: the procession of Näfels, held every first Thursday of April, commemorates the Swiss victory and honors Saint Fridolin, the patron saint of Glarus. T…
Näfels · · 🏛️ Legendary
The Näfelser Fahrt, a pilgrimage to the site of the Battle of Näfels, has been held every year in April since the battle in 1388. This tradition commemorates the soldiers who died in the battle.
Näfels · · 🏛️ Legendary
In her leather workshop in Netstal, GL, Karin Ochsner painstakingly handmade 100 Schwinghosen for the Eidgenössische Schwing- und Älplerfest, with each pair taking around three hours to complete.
Netstal · · 🤯 Weird
The Bourbaki-Denkmal Glarus is a historic memorial built in 1871, made of stone, and commemorates a notable event or person.
Bourbaki-Denkmal Glarus · · 🏛️ Legendary
💀 Dark history · 😂 Funny · 🔍 Hidden gems · 🏛️ Legendary · 🤯 Weird
Hidden stories of Switzerland beneath your feet
Facts are sourced from various open websites and may have been edited. Copyright of original content belongs to their respective owners.
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