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58-470: Engelberg (lit.: mountain of angel(s) ) is a village resort and a municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland . Alongside the central village of Engelberg, the municipality encompasses additional settlements, including Grafenort , Oberberg and Schwand . The municipality of Engelberg is an exclave , entirely encircled by the neighboring cantons of Bern , Nidwalden and Uri . Engelberg

116-562: A beginner to medium standard, although sometimes not having so much snow cover as the Titlis side due to the south facing aspect. There is another toboggan run from Brunnihütte back down to Ristis . In summer there are a number of walking trails starting from here, including the Walenpfad leading to Bannalp and the Rot ;Grätli ridge across the mountains to the north and northeast. There are also

174-471: A certain time in Switzerland are also allowed to participate in municipal politics. As at the cantonal and federal level, citizens enjoy political rights, including direct democratic ones, in their municipality. Municipalities are financed through direct taxes (such as income tax ), with rates varying more or less within a framework set by the canton (see Taxation in Switzerland ). As among the cantons, there

232-499: A man named Tutilos , who was probably a local farmer. The name, from Tutilos Berg , became Titlisberg and later Titlis . The first ascent of Titlis was probably made in the year 1739. It was done by Ignaz Hess, J. E. Waser and two other men from Engelberg. The first written evidence of an ascent is found in the Engelberger Dokumente . They mention a party of four men that reached the summit in 1744. On 21 January 1904

290-601: A number of prepared rock climbing routes ( German : Klettersteig ). At the eastern end of the Engelberg valley, there is a cable car up to Fürenalp (1,840 m (6,040 ft)), passing over the Fürenwand rock climbing area. From the top station or from the valley, summer walking routes with views of the Chli Spannort (3,140 m (10,300 ft)) and Gross Spannort (3,198 m (10,492 ft)) mountain peaks lead to

348-503: A population (as of December 2020) of 4,194. As of 2016, 26.2% of the population are resident foreign nationals. In 2015 a small minority (259 or 6.3% of the population) was born in Germany. Over the last 6 years (2010-2016) the population has changed at a rate of 5.92%. The birth rate in the municipality, in 2016, was 8.3, while the death rate was 5.8 per thousand residents. As of 2016, children and teenagers (0–19 years old) make up 17.7% of

406-408: A subsequent cable car (inaugurated in 1927) extending the journey to Ober Trüebsee. The pre-World War I era was characterized by robust growth, as indicated by a substantial influx of visitors (165,922 visitor-nights in 1911). The expansion of roadways and the extension of the railway to Lucerne (achieved in 1964) enhanced the accessibility of Engelberg. Further advancements were marked by the opening of

464-551: A toboggan run leading back down to the valley station. In the summer there are two cheese dairies, with walking trails leading up to Ober Trüebsee and back down to the village, or level trails leading to Unter Trüebsee to the west. The "Titlis Xpress" gondola lift, opened in 2015 to replace an older one dating from the 1970s, runs from the valley station (996 m (3,268 ft)) up to the middle station Trübsee (1,788 m (5,866 ft)) and on to Stand (2,428 m (7,966 ft)). This area provides more challenging skiing, on

522-399: A total of 117 employees. Finally, the tertiary sector provided 2,137 jobs in 372 businesses. In 2016 a total of 8.3% of the population received social assistance. In 2011 the unemployment rate in the municipality was 1.1%. In 2015 local hotels had a total of 354,960 overnight stays, of which 67.1% were international visitors. In 2015 the average cantonal, municipal and church tax rate in

580-539: Is a mountain resort in Central Switzerland . In the Middle Ages, the area garnered recognition for its Benedictine monastery, known as Engelberg Abbey . As time progressed, particularly from the 19th century onwards, Engelberg became a well-known mountain resort. The city of Lucerne serves as the nearest major urban center. While the official language of Engelberg is Swiss German , the predominant spoken language

638-449: Is a tax transfer among the municipalities to balance various levels of tax income. Switzerland has a relatively high number of small municipalities, with a population of 1,000 or less, especially in rural areas. Because of the increasing difficulty in providing professional government services and in finding volunteers for political offices in small municipalities, the cantons tend to encourage voluntary mergers of municipalities. This led to

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696-610: Is possible to visit an illuminated glacier cave from an entrance within the cable-car station, which also includes shops and restaurants. The Titlis Cliff Walk , the highest elevation suspension bridge in Europe, opened in December 2012, giving views across the Alps. Many people use Titlis as a cheaper and easier option than Jungfraujoch . Titlis straddles the border between Obwalden and Bern . The main summit of Titlis (sometimes distinguished by

754-686: Is the local variation of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect. Engelberg's earliest mention dates to 1122, denoted as Engilperc, concurrent with the founding of the Abbey. Prior to this, the Alpine pasture of Trüebsee was already collectively utilized by the locals. In August 1815, as Nidwalden hesitated in accepting the Federal Treaty , Engelberg promptly expressed its support. Federal troops entered Nidwalden, ultimately prompting their acceptance of

812-406: Is to the north, one station away. Both stations are served by hourly InterRegio trains from the city of Lucerne . A free bus system provides daytime transport within the village, with a network of seven routes during the winter season (from December through to April) and a single route during the summer season (from April until October). Drahtseilbahn Engelberg–Hotel Terrasse , a funicular from

870-798: The Bürgerrecht (citizenship), regardless of where they were born or where they may currently live. Instead of the place of birth , Swiss legal documents, e.g. passports, contain the Bürgerort (place of citizenship, or place of origin ). The Bürgergemeinde also often holds and administers the common property in the village for the members of the community. Each canton determines the powers and responsibilities of its municipalities. These may include providing local government services such as education, medical and social services, public transportation, and tax collection. The degree of centralization varies from one canton to another. The federal constitution protects

928-565: The Surenenpass (2,291 m (7,516 ft)) in the east. Engelberg is home to three sites that are Swiss heritage sites of national significance ; Engelberg Abbey with its library, archives and music collection, the mansion (Herrenhaus) in Grafenort and the Holy Cross chapel in Grafenort. The historical population is given in the following table: Religion in Engelberg – 2010 Engelberg has

986-525: The Wenden Glacier . The east side overlooks a glacier named Firnalpeligletscher . In earlier times, Titlis was known under the names Wendenstock or Nollen . The Reissend Nollen and the Wendenstöcke are the nearest western neighbours to the mountain, slightly lower than Titlis, but with sharp rugged peaks. In a document of 1435 the mountain is called Tuttelsberg ( Tutilos mountain ), referencing to

1044-489: The 2013/18 survey a total of 146 ha (360 acres) or about 1.9% of the total area was covered with buildings, an increase of 35 ha (86 acres) over the 1980/81 amount. Over the same time period, the amount of recreational space in the municipality increased by 34 ha (84 acres) and is now about 0.61% of the total area. Of the agricultural land, 685 ha (1,690 acres) is fields and grasslands and 1,424 ha (3,520 acres) consists of alpine grazing areas. Since 1980/81

1102-629: The Jochpass to Engstlenalp and Melchsee-Frutt , or directly from Engleberg over the Juchli Pass (2,171 m (7,123 ft)) or Storegg Pass (1,742 m (5,715 ft))) into the Melchtal . The "Rotair" cable car ("the world's first rotating cable car") runs up to the Kleintitlis mountain station (3,028 m (9,934 ft)) where there is a restaurant and shops, an observation terrace and access to

1160-460: The Talmuseum showing the history of the area and Swiss rural life, and a number of old chapels. The winter sports season generally lasts from December until April, although the high altitude glacier areas on the Titlis can sometimes be used (by advanced skiers) from October until May. Snow coverage is generally reliable, although in recent years artificial snow machines have been installed on some of

1218-402: The amount of agricultural land has decreased by 156 ha (390 acres). Over the same time period the amount of forested land has increased by 103 ha (250 acres). Rivers and lakes cover 78 ha (190 acres) in the municipality. The average altitude of Engelberg is 1,020 m (3,350 ft). However the village is surrounded by the Alps, creating very steep terrain. The highest point in

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1276-403: The autonomy of municipalities within the framework set out by cantonal law. Municipalities are generally governed by an executive council headed by a president or mayor . Legislative authority is exercised by a town meeting of all citizens, or by a municipal parliament, depending on the size of the municipality, and on cantonal and municipal law. In some cantons, foreigners who have lived for

1334-585: The borders of the municipality is the Titlis . The Engelberg Valley ( German : Engelbergertal ) is drained by the Engelberger Aa , a tributary of Lake Lucerne . The valley is located southwards from the lake. The municipality of Engelberg is served by two stations on the Luzern–Stans–Engelberg line . Engelberg railway station is located in the village and is the terminus of the line. Grafenort station

1392-668: The cantons of Obwalden, Berne and Uri converge. The geographical center of Switzerland is situated about 15 kilometers west of the mountain. Titlis is the highest mountain in the portion of the Uri Alps north of the Susten Pass . This part of the range is located between the valleys of the Hasli (west) and the Reuss (east), thus separating the waters feeding the basins of the Aare and Reuss respectively. On

1450-466: The construction of a broader road between 1872 and 1874, as well as the inauguration of the Stansstad-Engelberg electric railway in 1898. Engelberg's reputation as a hub for hiking and other mountain activities grew toward the end of the 19th century. The winter season made its debut in 1903-1904. The Gerschnialpbahn , a funicular railway (unveiled in 1913), connected Engelberg to Gerschni with

1508-697: The exercise of political rights for everyone except the members of the Bürgergemeinde . In the Regeneration era (1830–1848), the liberal revolutions of the common people helped to restore some rights again in a few cantons. In other cantons, the Bürgergemeinden were able to maintain power as political communities. In the city of Zürich it was not until the Municipal Act of 1866 that the political municipality came back into existence. The relationship between

1566-590: The first ski ascent of Titlis was made by Joseph Kuster and Willi Amrhein. In March 1967 the cable car to Klein Titlis (3,032 m) was inaugurated. In December 2012, the Titlis Cliff Walk opened to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Engelberg-Gerschnialp cableway . Klein Titlis hosts a significant telecommunications site, used for high capacity point-to-point microwave radio links and VHF/ UHF repeaters . Licensed band radio links are regulated by

1624-499: The glacier and summit. The high altitude glacier runs down from the peak are suitable for advanced skiers, with off-piste routes leading down to Trüebsee and the Laubersgrat ridge. The Brunni mountain area, to the north of the village, is accessible from the cable car station which runs up to Ristis (1,600 m (5,200 ft)), with a further chair lift up to Brunnihütte (1,860 m (6,100 ft)). The ski runs here are of

1682-450: The higher segment of the Titlis cable car in 1967. Over time, Engelberg's appeal extended beyond tourism, hosting regular conferences. By the turn of the millennium, the tertiary sector, particularly tourism, contributed significantly to employment in Engelberg. Engelberg is situated within the Uri Alps mountain range. Engelberg is surrounded by several mountain summits, such as Titlis in

1740-630: The highest summit of the range north of the Susten Pass , between the Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland . The Titlis mountain massif is accessible by cable cars of the Titlis Bergbahnen . The cable car bottom station is also the central terminus of the village bus services. A funicular railway (dating from 1913) runs up to station Gerschnialp (1,267 m (4,157 ft)) and a wide Alpine pasture called Gerschni, with easy snow areas suitable for beginners and cross country ski trails, and

1798-565: The lower altitude runs in order to improve snow cover. Engelberg hosts a round of the ski jumping World Cup at the Gross-Titlis-Schanze jump. In common with the rest of Switzerland, there is a village celebration for Swiss National Day on 1 August, with parades and events throughout the day. On the last Saturday in September the Alpabzug takes place, when the cattle are brought from

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1856-504: The lower slopes of the Titlis and via further chair lifts to the Jochpass (2,207 m (7,241 ft)) and below the Jochstock at 2,508 m (8,228 ft). A continuous ski piste leads down to Unter Trüebsee and back to the cable car valley station. In summer the lake is a destination for walkers, with rowing boats available on the lake and picnic places around it. Walking routes lead over

1914-646: The lowest level of administrative division in Switzerland. Each municipality is part of one of the Swiss cantons , which form the Swiss Confederation . In most cantons, municipalities are also part of districts or other sub-cantonal administrative divisions. There are 2,131 municipalities as of January 2024 . Their populations range between several hundred thousand ( Zürich ), and a few dozen people ( Kammersrohr , Bister ), and their territory between 0.32 km² ( Rivaz ) and 439 km² ( Scuol ). The beginnings of

1972-567: The modern municipality system date back to the Helvetic Republic . Under the Old Swiss Confederacy , citizenship was granted by each town and village to only residents. These citizens enjoyed access to community property and in some cases additional protection under the law. Additionally, the urban towns and the rural villages had differing rights and laws. The creation of a uniform Swiss citizenship, which applied equally for citizens of

2030-399: The mountain pastures back to their winter barns in the village and valley. There are three main mountain areas, accessible from the village, offering various activities in winter and summer. The cable cars generally run all year round, providing access for hikers and mountain bikers as well as skiers. The Titlis in the south of Engelberg at 3,238 metres (10,623 ft) above sea level is

2088-462: The municipalities under cantonal or federal law. Municipalities are numbered by the Swiss Federal Office for Statistics (see Community Identification Number#Switzerland ). One or more postal codes (PLZ/NPA) can by assigned to a municipality or shared with other municipalities. Between 2011 and 2021 nine of the smallest municipalities merged into others as part of the effort to eliminate

2146-419: The municipality for a couple with two children making SFr  80,000 was 5.5% while the rate for a single person making SFr 150,000 was 11.1%, both of which are much lower than the average for the canton. The canton has a slightly higher than average tax rate for those making SFr 80,000 and one of the lowest for those making SFr 150,000. In 2013 the average income in the municipality per tax payer

2204-417: The municipality were single family homes, which is about the same as the percentage in the canton (44.4%) and less than the percentage nationally (57.4%). Of the 1,302 inhabited buildings in the municipality, in 2000, about 48.5% were single family homes and 34.4% were multiple family buildings. Additionally, about 17.1% of the buildings were built before 1919, while 9.4% were built between 1991 and 2000. In 2015

2262-618: The name Gross Titlis ) and Klein Titlis are both located between the municipalities of Engelberg on the north and Gadmen on the south. The Titlis massif is also partially located in Nidwalden , where the highest point of that canton is found: the Rotstöckli (2,901 m). Titlis itself is the highest point in Obwalden and in the valley of Engelberg. East of Titlis is the Grassen , where the borders between

2320-557: The north side, the valley of Engelberg ( Engelbergertal ) is drained by the Engelberger Aa , a tributary of the Lake Lucerne . The valley is located southwards from Lake Lucerne. The northern side of the massif is covered by the Titlis Glacier ( German : Titlisgletscher ). Due to the global warming the glacier has been receded dramatically; it is expected to disappear in about twenty years. The south steep and rocky face rises above

2378-436: The number of municipalities dropping by 384 between the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2019. Some municipalities designate themselves as "city" ( ville or Stadt ) or as "village" ( Dorf ). These designations result from tradition or local preference – for example, several small municipalities designated as cities held city rights in medieval times – and normally do not impact the legal or political rights or obligations of

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2436-525: The old towns and their tenants and servants, led to conflict. The wealthier villagers and urban citizens held rights to forests, common land and other municipal property which they did not want to share with the "new citizens", who were generally poor. The compromise solution, which was written into the municipal laws of the Helvetic Republic, is still valid today. Two politically separate but often geographically similar organizations were created. The first,

2494-408: The political municipality and the Bürgergemeinde was often dominated by the latter's ownership of community property. Often the administration and profit from the property were totally held by the Bürgergemeinden , leaving the political municipality dependent on the Bürgergemeinde for money and use of the property. It was not until the political municipality acquired rights over property that served

2552-447: The political voting and electoral body rights from the Bürgergemeinde . In the cities, the percentage of members in the Bürgergemeinde in the population was reduced as a result of increasing emigration to the cities. This led to the Bürgergemeinde losing its former importance to a large extent. However, the Bürgergemeinde has remained, and it includes all individuals who are citizens of the Bürgergemeinde , usually by having inherited

2610-498: The population (between age 25–64) have completed either non-mandatory upper secondary education or additional higher education (either university or a Fachhochschule ). Engelberg is classed as a tourist community. As of  2014, there were a total of 2,547 people employed in the municipality. Of these, a total of 143 people worked in 56 businesses in the primary economic sector . The secondary sector employed 267 workers in 54 separate businesses, of which 6 businesses employed

2668-417: The population, while adults (20–64 years old) are 61.4% of the population and seniors (over 64 years old) make up 20.9%. In 2015 there were 1,762 single residents, 1,808 people who were married or in a civil partnership, 230 widows or widowers and 297 divorced residents. In 2016 there were 1,925 private households in Engelberg with an average household size of 2.10 persons. In 2015 about 43% of all buildings in

2726-498: The public (such as schools, fire stations, etc.) and taxes, that they obtained full independence. For example, in the city of Bern, it was not until after the property division of 1852 that the political municipality had the right to levy taxes. It was not until the Federal Constitution of 1874 that all Swiss citizens were granted equal political rights on local and Federal levels. This revised constitution finally removed all

2784-458: The rate of construction of new housing units per 1000 residents was 8.3. The vacancy rate for the municipality, in 2017, was 0.92%. Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks German as their mother tongue (88.2%), with Serbo-Croatian being second most common (2.5%) and English being third (2.2%). As of 2000 the gender distribution of the population was 49.9% male and 50.1% female. In the 2015 federal election small, local parties received 53.5% of

2842-467: The recent past. Engelberg is mentioned in chapter XXIV of Henry James 's 1875 novel Roderick Hudson . Between 1991 and 2020 Engelberg had an average of 151 days of rain or snow per year and on average received 1,568 mm (61.7 in) of precipitation . The wettest month was July with 198 mm (7.8 in) of precipitation over 15.7 days. However June had the most precipitation days (15.9) but only 179 mm (7.0 in). The driest months of

2900-426: The smallest communities. Only Bister has not merged into a new municipality although the smallest municipality is now Kammersrohr with a population of just 32. In addition to the municipalities as basic territorial political subdivisions, a number of other local subdivisions exist in several cantons. These include: Titlis The last part of cable car leads above the glacier . At Klein Titlis , it

2958-659: The so-called municipality, was a political community formed by election and its voting body consists of all resident citizens. However, the community land and property remained with the former local citizens who were gathered together into the Bürgergemeinde /bourgeoisie. During the Mediation era (1803–1814), and especially during the Restoration era (1814–1830), many of the gains toward uniform citizenship were lost. Many political municipalities were abolished and limits were placed on

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3016-569: The south (3,238 metres (10,623 ft)) above sea level), the Walenstöcke (2,572 metres (8,438 ft)) and Ruchstock (2,813 metres (9,229 ft)) to the north, Hahnen (2,606 metres (8,550 ft)) and Wissberg (2,627 metres (8,619 ft)) to the east, the Engelberger Rotstock (2,819 metres (9,249 ft)) and the Wissigstock (2,887 metres (9,472 ft)) to the northeast, and

3074-445: The treaty on 18 August 1815. Consequently, Engelberg was incorporated into the canton of Obwalden . The mid-19th century ushered in Engelberg's emergence as a vacation destination, known for its therapeutic mineral water, milk serum and fresh air. The efforts of families such as Cattani, Hess, and Odermatt led to the establishment of a number of hotels, cementing the region's status as a tourist destination. Related developments included

3132-577: The upper valley of the Engelberger Aa leading to the Surenen Pass (2,291 metres (7,516 ft)) leading to the Urner Reusstal . Engelberg has an area (as of the 2004/09 survey) of 74.87 km (28.91 sq mi). Of this area, about 27.1% is used for agricultural purposes, while 25.8% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 3.7% is settled (buildings or roads) and 43.5% is unproductive land. In

3190-493: The village to Hotel Terrace operated from 1905 to 2008, with some interruptions. Gerschnialpbahn opened in 1913. The tourist activities in the village and surrounding area include skiing and other snow sports in the winter season, and hiking and mountain activities during the summer. In the village itself the main sights are the Benedictine monastery Engelberg Abbey which incorporates a cheese factory and demonstration shop,

3248-581: The vote and the SVP received the remainder (46.5%). In the federal election, a total of 1,476 votes were cast, and the voter turnout was 56.4%. In the 2007 election the most popular party was the SVP which received 37.4% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were a variety of other parties (not major) (28.6%), the CVP (22.7%) and the SPS (11.3%). In Engelberg about 65.5% of

3306-556: The year was February with 81 mm (3.2 in) of precipitation over 10.0 days. This area has a long winter season, with little precipitation mostly in the form of snow, and low humidity. The Köppen Climate System classifies the climate in Engelberg as Oceanic. MeteoSwiss 's classification is Central Alpine northslope . Municipalities of Switzerland Municipalities ( German : Gemeinden , Einwohnergemeinden or politische Gemeinden ; French : communes ; Italian : comuni ; Romansh : vischnancas ) are

3364-451: Was SFr 88,070 and the per person average was SFr 45,328, which is greater than the cantonal averages of SFr 87,563 and SFr 38,842 respectively It is also greater than the national per tax payer average of SFr 82,682 and the per person average of SFr 35,825. Due to the risks of filming in the disputed region of Kashmir , many Indian films requiring a Kashmir snowy mountain setting have been filmed in Engelberg in

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