Näfelser Fahrt

Näfelser Fahrt for the year 2023 is celebrated/observed on Thursday, April 6th. There are until the next observance.

Näfelser Fahrt is the yearly remembrance of the “Battle of Näfels,” which takes place every year on the first Thursday in April. It will be held on April 6 this year. It is an official holiday in the Canton of Glarus, commemorating the decisive battle between the Swiss Confederacy and Austria, in which the Swiss triumphed despite being outnumbered sixteen to one. As the pilgrimage arrives at the site of the fight for the ceremonial parade, local officials, residents, and the military are led by a marching band.

📆 When is Näfelser Fahrt?

This year, Näfelser Fahrt is on April 6th. It is the 1st Thursday in April; in 2024, it is on Saturday.

→ Did you know: Shrovetide is a traditional ceremony held before Lent to free the sun from the grips of winter evil.

You can also view all interesting things you didn’t know about and facts about April 6, 2023.

📜 History of Näfelser Fahrt

Austrian forces got desperate as the snow dropped and began assaulting communities. The garrison, trained in snow and fog, exploited their error and assaulted the occupying army. The Austrians, unable to deal with the overwhelming force, attempted to evacuate to a nearby village when the weight of the men destroyed the bridge, drowning the bulk of the battalion. The fight ended when the Austrian army of 5,000 troops, headed by Graf Donat von Toggenburg and Knight Peter von Thorberg, was unable to withstand the counterattack of 400 Swiss Confederation soldiers.

The Näfelser Fahrt commemorates the Old Swiss Confederacy’s triumph against the Archduchy of Austria. Näfelser Fahrt, which translates to “journey to Näfels,” is an annual pilgrimage to the site of the battle to pay their respects to the fallen troops.Since 1420, the official remembrance in the Canton of Glarus has helped bring the canton together and strengthen the nationalist spirit of the Glarner people.

☑️ Näfelser Fahrt facts

✅ Clothes and gears
Traditional attire worn by most Swiss males includes pants, breeches, headgear, woolen stockings, and a smoky shirt, while ladies wear tight ribbon crest tops, lace bonnets, and stockings.

✅ A land of polyglots
Along with German, Switzerland’s official language, the majority of Swiss citizens are proficient in the regional dialects of their cantons.

✅ The love for yodeling
Yodeling is Switzerland’s characteristic music style, originating with shepherds who used it to communicate with one another at high elevations.

✨ Things to do on Näfelser Fahrt

⚡ Read ‘Fahrzeugbrief’
The “Fahrzeugbrief,” written in the early 15th century, is a procession letter that chronicles the whole conflict and includes an account of every single military loss. Since 1420, the pilgrimage procession has included a public reading of the brief. To get into the spirit of Näfelser Fahrt, read the translated version of the document.

⚡ Enjoy Swiss cuisine
Swiss food is more than fondue and roasted potatoes. Dip your toes into this amazing nation’s traditional delicacy to completely comprehend its cultural richness. Bake Zürcher Geschnetzeltes or roll up a Birchermüesli on the first Thursday of April.Finish with a generous dollop of meringue.

⚡ Watch the ceremony
Locals live-stream the yearly pilgrimage, which is viewable on social media platforms. Watch the hour-long demonstration that Glarus residents are leading and be amazed at how well they work together.

📅 Näfelser Fahrt Observances

View all April holidays, including Federal and other Civic holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Näfelser Fahrt. So be sure to check back soon.