Schwyz District

The district of Schwyz ( pronunciation [ ʃvi ː ts ] ), is a district of the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.

The district includes Schwyz with 506.5 square kilometers, about half of the Canton area, but only about two -fifths of the population. He is with respect to population and area by far the largest of the six districts.

Geographical Location

The district includes the area between Schwyz Zug and Lake Lucerne, Muotatal and the Bibertal towards Einsiedeln. It corresponds roughly to the ancient land of Schwyz, which for centuries had historical significance as the Canton of Schwyz.

The district includes 15 Municipalities. The area includes therefore also north of the watershed located on myths parts, which is attributed to the country extension in the Old Confederacy.

Municipalities

Changes in the community inventory

Towns

History

Schwyz is one with Uri and Unterwalden, the Old Three places that in 1291 the Confederation founded. Important for the history of the valley of the dispute with the monastery of Einsiedeln was. The abbey was founded in 934 of Strasbourg from was given large estates of the Swabian dukes and the Roman-German emperors. This included Sihl, Alp and beavers. In the 11th century, the large livestock spread. To this end, it took more grazing land and pastures. This there was no shortage on the other side of the watershed ( Biberegg - Haggenegg - Holzegg - Ibergeregg ) and thus to the monastery area. Peasant land clearing and the kidnapping of the monks by the Schwyzer led to a vendetta of the Habsburgs, who were lords of the forest instead since 1283. The victory in this military conflict ( Battle of Morgarten 1315) assured the people of Schwyz finally the possession of considerable areas beyond the myths.