Flüeli-Ranft

The birthplace has had an eventful history. The late medieval log building was given its current floor plan around 1425 when it was converted and extended into a semi-detached house. As fragments of the foundation walls of a small previous building were found in the cellar, it can rightly be assumed that Niklaus von Flüe was born in this house in 1417.

The birthplace was inherited by the family of Brother Klaus until 1729. It then passed into the hands of others and was divided into three parts. In the second half of the 19th century, the Flüeli-Ranft Chapel Foundation bought the house back. From 1875 to 1910 it served as a schoolhouse. In 1925, an attempt was made to restore the building to its original form using old wood. The furnishings are intended to give visitors an understanding of the living culture of Niklaus von Flüe at the time. This state was largely respected during the most recent restoration in 1999/2000.

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He lived with his family in the house built by Niklaus von Flüe himself in the Schibloch-Matte on the way to the Ranft until he left to live as a hermit in 1467.

The house remained in the von Flüe family until the beginning of the 19th century, but was badly damaged by clumsy alterations. Since the end of the 19th century, it has belonged to the Catholics of the canton of Fribourg and the canton of Obwalden. Before Brother Klaus was canonized, the house was professionally restored in 1946. Most of the interior decoration was recreated at that time based on pictures in Diebold Schilling's chronicle.

On the meadow next to the house, Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass with 11,000 participants during his trip to Switzerland on June 14, 1984. The living room served as a sacristy, which is why a plaque with the Pope's blessing and signature hangs on the wall as a memento.

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The Ranft is a place of silence, prayer and strength - inextricably linked with Brother Klaus. The Ranft also stands for the break in his biography, for Niklaus von Flüe's decision to live a different life - in dialogue with God.

Here he lived as a hermit, mystic and highly esteemed advisor. In the Ranft, he prayed, fasted, reflected and became a peacemaker

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The most important sights include Brother Klaus' house, the Ranft Gorge with the hermitage, the Ranft chapels and various historical paths and viewpoints.

Flüeli-Ranft is closely linked to the life of Niklaus von Flüe, who lived here as a hermit.
The place still attracts pilgrims and guests interested in culture from Switzerland and abroad.

Flüeli-Ranft is easy to reach, whether by car or by public transport:

By train & post bus:

• Flüeli-Ranft liegt nahe am Bahnhof Sachseln, der mit der Zentralbahn/SBB direkt ab Luzern in ca. 20–30 Minuten erreichbar ist.
• Vom Bahnhof Sachseln bringt dich die PostAuto-Linie 351 bequem vom Bahnhof in etwa 15–20 Minuten direkt nach Flüeli-Ranft.

By car:

• Flüeli-Ranft liegt oberhalb von Sachseln im Herzen der Schweiz.
• Die Zufahrt erfolgt über die A8 bis Sachseln, dann weiter Richtung Flüeli-Ranft.
• Es gibt Parkmöglichkeiten im Zentrum

Barrier-free access to the ranch:

• Der Ranft mit den unteren Ranftkapellen kann von gehbehinderten Personen mit dem Ranftmobil erreicht werden.
• Das Ranftmobil ermöglicht eine erleichterte Zufahrt in die Ranftschlucht und den Zugang zu den Kapellen.

Yes, Flüeli-Ranft can be reached via various hiking and pilgrimage trails. Flüeli-Ranft is on the Way of St. James.
Walks between Flüeli-Ranft, St. Niklausen and the Ranft (the chapels in the gorge) are popular.

Yes, Flüeli-Ranft is also suitable for families with children, especially for quiet excursions in nature.
Short walks, nature experiences and the history of Brother Klaus with the Mission Klaus theme trail can be discovered in a child-friendly way.

Yes, people with reduced mobility can also visit the Ranft and the lower Ranft chapels. The Ranft-Mobil is available for this purpose - an assisted electric vehicle that takes guests safely into the Ranft Gorge.

The Ranft-Mobil was specially developed to tackle the steeply sloping paths to the Ranft, which are too challenging for many people. Volunteer guides drive the vehicle and ensure a safe journey to the chapels and other places of power.

• Fahrten finden in der Regel von Frühling bis Herbst statt.
• Eine Reservation im Voraus ist zwingend notwendig.

Thanks to this offer, older people and people with walking disabilities or wheelchairs can also visit the Ranft and experience the places of pilgrimage.