Mollis: Cultural History and Themed Trails
Accommodation in Mollis
Mollis lies in the Glarus lowlands and borders the Linth Canal and Lake Walen to the north. Its village setting, with its stately residences, is of national importance. The elevation ranges from 419 to 2,118 metres above sea level. The themes that interest you may help you choose your stay: historic buildings, exhibitions or a trail with a clearly defined focus. In the Canton of Glarus, the deep Linth Valley and the smaller Sernftal Valley to the east shape the landscape; most of the canton is mountainous.
Culture and History in Mollis
The present-day Mollis church was built in 1760 by Johann Ulrich Grubenmann and is a protected monument. Memorial plaques commemorate the people of Glarus who fell at the Battle of Näfels on 9 April 1388 and were buried in Mollis. The building’s history and its memorials mark different points in time: the church dates from the 18th century, while the plaques preserve the memory of an event from the 14th century. For those interested in cultural history, these are two specific points of interest at the same building.
The Mollis Museum’s permanent exhibition, “Traditional Crafts,” presents the history of craftspeople from earlier times. The ground floor also features an excerpt from the former exhibition about Fritz Zwicky. He is presented as an astrophysicist, rocket scientist, inventor and mountaineer. The museum thus brings together a look at traditional crafts and an insight into Zwicky’s varied activities. Exhibition content may change over time.
The Linth Escher Auditorium presents a collection about the work of Conrad Escher von der Linth (1767–1823) and features a permanent exhibition of documents on the Linth project. The subject ranges from a significant individual to the undertaking associated with his work. Exhibition content may be updated.
Themed Trails and Special Interests
The Glarus Planet Trail is an educational trail that depicts the solar system to a scale of 1:2 billion. It runs along the right bank of the Linth on a marked, easy hiking trail from the Yellow Factory in Mollis to the weir in Netstal. The route is 2.25 kilometres long and takes about 40 minutes one way. This approximate time estimate can help you plan. The route, distance information and interpretive features may change; check the information before setting out.
Those interested in astronomy and visualising scale will find a different focus on the Planet Trail than on the Schabziger Höhenweg. With ten stations, this themed discovery trail explores the history, production and marketing of Glarus Schabziger. It runs from Filzbach and Habergschwänd to Mollis and Oberruestel. The two trails therefore differ mainly in their subject: the scale-model solar system on one, and a regional food product and its history on the other. Seasonal conditions and trail signage may change.
Getting Around and More Things to Do
Mollis shares a railway station with Näfels on the Rapperswil–Glarus–Linthal regional line. The village centre is also served by the Glarus bus line on the Bilten/Ziegelbrücke–Niederurnen–Näfels–Mollis–Filzbach–Obstalden–Mühlehorn route. If you are travelling by train or bus, check the current timetable in advance.
Sightseeing flights by helicopter, motor aircraft or glider are offered at Mollis airfield. The airfield is now used mainly for civilian purposes and is no longer a military airfield. If a sightseeing flight is an option for your stay, check dates and arrangements in advance; booking and operating conditions may change.
Discover more destinations: Elm, Obstalden, Niederurnen, MĂĽhlehorn, Glarus, Matt, Glarus South, Filzbach
Go to the main travel overview: Glarus.
