Glarus between the town church and the mountains

Glarus combines a distinctive town church with geological themes and a setting between the Linth River and the mountains. When planning your stay, you can choose from a range of interests: town history, geological discoveries, art or the landscape of the mountain region.

Between the Linth River and the mountains

Glarus lies on the Linth River, between the foot of the Glärnisch to the west and the Schilt to the east. The Glärnisch belongs to the Schwyzer Alps, while the Schilt belongs to the Glarus Alps. Glarus is also at the foot of the Vorderglärnisch, which is around 2,300 metres high. The Bächistock in the Glärnisch massif offers a different measure: at 2,914 metres above sea level, it is the highest point in the municipality. The Vorderglärnisch therefore marks the town’s position at the foot of the mountains, while the Bächistock marks the municipality’s highest point.

Town history and the town church

Glarus was first mentioned in the early 9th century under the name “Clarona”; the first mention in German dates from 1178. Early industrialisation is also part of the town’s history. The devastating fire of 1861 destroyed large parts of the town, leaving only a few buildings from before that time in the townscape.

The town church was built between 1863 and 1866 to plans by the architect Karl Ferdinand Stadler. Its location and size make it a defining feature of Glarus’s townscape, and it is considered a landmark of Glarus. Its basic elements follow the style of a Romanesque basilica, while its overall character is Neo-Romanesque. Two towers and rose windows above the entrances define its appearance. Anyone interested in architecture will find several concrete details here to observe in the building’s design.

Town life and guided tours

The annual Landsgemeinde (cantonal assembly) takes place in Zaunplatz, where direct democracy can be experienced. If you would like to plan your stay around this event, check the dates in advance. Traditional town tours are also part of Glarus’s history. If you are planning a specific visit, ask about current dates so you can include this option in your travel plans.

Geology in the town and the mountain region

The German-language Geo-City Walk leads to sixteen geologically significant building stones in Glarus. Discoveries include fossils from the age of the dinosaurs in the town hall fountain. You can count shark’s teeth in a window frame made of shell limestone. These examples draw attention to individual geological traces in the town; the exhibition at the Glarnerland Nature Centre in Glarus explores the bigger picture. It explains the uniqueness of the Sardona Tectonic Arena and the formation of the Glarus Thrust. This brings together two different ways of exploring geology: specific finds and the formation of a landscape.

The Glarnerland Visitor Centre in Glarus shares information about the landscapes, animals, plants and people of the mountain habitat. The exhibition is suitable for families. If you are interested in nature, this look at the mountain habitat brings together various aspects: the landscape itself, as well as its plants, animals and human inhabitants.

Art and industrial history

The Kunsthaus annual report for 2023 describes “Kunstschaffen Glarus” as a recurring survey exhibition featuring local artists. In 2023, the Kunsthaus’s educational programme included numerous guided tours, workshops for children and young people, and insights into the collection. This information relates to the 2023 programme and shows the range of educational activities described there.

The Glarner Industrieweg (Glarus Industrial Trail) runs from Elm to Ziegelbrücke and brings Glarus’s importance as an industrial centre to life. As a regional route, its thematic scope extends beyond the town. It therefore complements Glarus-specific topics such as the town church, the Landsgemeinde and the Geo-City Walk with a regional perspective on industrial history.

Discover more destinations: Obstalden, Braunwald, Nidfurn, Matt, Mollis, Mühlehorn, Niederurnen, Näfels.

To the higher-level travel overview: Glarus.