Sarnen

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 46°53′N 8°14′E

Sarnen
Canton	Obwalden
District	n.a.
Coordinates	46°53′N 8°14′E
Population	9,425   (December 2004)
Area	76 km²
Elevation	473 m
Postal code	6060-6061
SFOS number	1407
Mayor	Werner Stauffer
Website	www.sarnen.ch
Sarnen

Sarnen is the capital of the canton of Obwalden situated on the shores of Lake Sarnen, Switzerland. It has a population of just under 10,000 and is surrounded by countryside and mountains. Sarnen is located 20 km south of Lucerne.

Contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Sights 4 Living in Sarnen 5 Transportation 5.1 Road 5.2 Railway 5.3 Airplane 6 External links

[edit] History

Stone Age and Bronze Age finds prove that the Sarnen valley was inhabited from the earliest times. Over the years Sarnen developed into an important trading center and it can look back with pride over its centuries of history. Everywhere you look its historic town centre provides evidence of its exciting past and ever-changing history.

[edit] Geography

Sarnen is on the shore of the idyllic Lake Sarnen. Lake Sarnen covers approximately an area of 7.5 km². The town is surrounded by mountain chains and a protected bog can be found nearby. Its altitude is 473 m. The most well-known mountain close to Sarnen is Mount Pilatus with an elevation of 2,132 metres.

[edit] Sights

Here are some images of the main sights of Sarnen.

the Sarneraa - river that flows through town	town hall with fountain	church	Landenberg - the castle above Sarnen
Hospital and Gymnasium (school)	Library in the historic Grundacher House	Lake Sarnen

[edit] Living in Sarnen

The town of Sarnen has been experiencing steady growth over the past years. It has become more attractive due to its proximity to Lucerne. Many commuters work in Lucerne and use the motorway or railway service to get to work.

Among companies active in Sarnen include Sarna Polymer Holding (waterproofing systems for the construction and civil engineering industry), Leister Technologies (Plasticwelding, Soldering, Lasersystems, Microsystems, Processheat) and Nahrin AG (healthy nutrition).

[edit] Transportation

[edit] Road

The motorway A8 passes through Sarnen. Driving on the A8, take the exit Sarnen Süd or Sarnen Nord.

[edit] Railway

The rail station is situated in the center of the town. Sarnen lies on the railway line Lucerne - Interlaken. It takes 23 minutes by train to get to Lucerne and 1 h 30 min to Interlaken. The railway station of Lucerne serves all major Swiss cities and several international destinations. The trains are operated by the Swiss Federal Railways SBB-CFF-FFS.

[edit] Airplane

Switzerland has three major international airports Geneva airport, Zurich airport and Basel airport. Both Basel and Zurich airport are closer to Sarnen than Geneva.

By road it takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes from both airports. The distance in kilometres from Basel and Zurich airport are approximately 125 and 90 respectively.

Geneva and Zurich airport have a built-in railway station. The journey from Zurich takes either 1 h 30 min or 1 h 55 min depending on the train connection.

[edit] External links

• Sarnen Official site (German)
• Sarnen Tourism
• Local companies:
  • Sarna Polymer Holding
  • Leister Technologies
  • Nahrin AG
  • LPOS