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Vitznau
Prise de vue de Vitznau 01 - Bürgenstock.jpg
Coat of arms of Vitznau
Coat of arms
Vitznau is located in Switzerland
Vitznau
Vitznau
Location in Switzerland
Vitznau is located in Canton of Lucerne
Vitznau
Vitznau
Location in Canton of Lucerne
Country Switzerland
Canton Lucerne
District Lucerne
Area
 • Total 8.91 km2 (3.44 sq mi)
Elevation
438 m (1,437 ft)
Population
 (Dec 2020 )
 • Total 1,426
 • Density 160.04/km2 (414.5/sq mi)
Postal code
6354
Surrounded by Arth (SZ), Ennetbürgen (NW), Gersau (SZ), Weggis

Vitznau is a beautiful village in Switzerland, located in the canton of Lucerne. It sits right by Lake Lucerne and is known for its stunning views and mountain access. Vitznau is a municipality, which means it's like a small town with its own local government.

Vitznau's Past: A Look at History

Johann Heinrich Müller, 1825-1894 G02 Vitznau
Vitznau around 1880, showing the rack railway (which opened in 1871) and a steamboat.

Vitznau has a long history, first being mentioned way back in the year 998. In the 1800s, it became a very popular place for tourists, especially those visiting from England.

A famous building you can still see today is the grand Park Hotel Vitznau, which was built in the early 1900s. It shows how important tourism became to the area.

Exploring Vitznau's Geography

ETH-BIB-Vitznau-LBS H1-009925
An aerial view of Vitznau from 1947.

Vitznau is uniquely placed on a narrow strip of land. On one side, you have the beautiful Lake Lucerne, and on the other, the impressive Rigi mountain rises up.

One of the special mountain railways that takes people to the top of the Rigi mountain starts right here in Vitznau!

The area of Vitznau is about 8.9 square kilometers. A large part of this land, over half, is covered by forests. About a third of the land is used for farming, like growing crops or for pastures where animals graze. The rest of the land includes buildings, roads, and natural features like rivers.

Who Lives in Vitznau? Demographics

Vitznau from lake
Vitznau as seen from across Lake Lucerne, nestled under the Rigi mountain.

Vitznau is home to over 1,000 people. Many different people live here, including some from other countries. Over the last ten years, the number of people living in Vitznau has grown.

Most people in Vitznau speak German. Other languages spoken include Albanian and Italian.

When it comes to age, Vitznau has people of all ages. About 20% of the population is under 19 years old, and many adults are between 20 and 64 years old. There's also a good number of senior citizens who call Vitznau home.

Many adults in Vitznau have completed a good level of education, including higher education like university.

Most homes in Vitznau are single-family houses or multi-family buildings. Many buildings have two or three stories.

Vitznau has a low unemployment rate, meaning most people who want to work can find jobs. People work in different areas, including farming, manufacturing, and services like tourism.

In terms of religion, most people in Vitznau are Roman Catholic. There are also Protestants and people of other faiths, including Muslim, living in the community.

Getting Around Vitznau: Transport

Vitznau has excellent transport links, especially for a small municipality. It has four railway stations, all part of the Vitznau–Rigi line. This special railway goes from the shore of Lake Lucerne all the way up to the top of the Rigi mountain. The stations are:

  • Vitznau
  • Freibergen
  • Grubisbalm
  • Mittlerschwanden

Vitznau is also a major stop for ferries on Lake Lucerne. The Lake Lucerne Navigation Company offers regular boat services from Vitznau to many other places around the lake. This makes it easy to explore the beautiful region by water.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vitznau para niños

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