Goldau is a city in the community of Arth, canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. It lies between two mountains, the Rigi (known as Queen of the Mountains) and the Rossberg. Well known attractions include the Natur- und Tierpark Goldau and the Arth-Goldau valley station of the Arth-Rigi Bahn connecting to the Rigi mountain.
On September 2, 1806 heavy rains triggered a landslide of 120 million tonnes (40 million cubic metres) from the Rossberg which destroyed Goldau and the adjacient villages Busingen, Röthen and Lauerz. Part of the mass hit Lake Lauerz (which had been created by an even larger landslide in the 14th century), and the resulting tsunami-like displacement wave caused more devastation towards Seewen. The event destroyed 111 houses, 220 barns, and two churches in a disaster area of about 20 km2, parts of which were covered with debris to a height of 30-70 meters. It resulted in the confirmed death of 457 people.[1][2] A museum outside the Natur- und Tierpark shows findings and photos of this natural disaster.