Stans

Stans is the capital city of the Nidwalden (Nidwald) canton in Switzerland. It has a population of 7300 of which 12% is of foreign nationality (2002). The area of Stans is 1108 hectares.

History

Stans was first mentioned in 1172. In 1798 it was stormed by French troops, followed the decision of Nidwalden not to adapt a new constitution. Children orphanated by this event were gathered by the educator Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi for his first school. The open-air assembly (Landsgemeinde) was held in Stans annualy until its abolition in 1997.

Industry

There are 650 local businesses which employ 6900 people. 2% of these are in the agricultural sector, 37% in trade and industry, 61% in services.

Sights

The main sights of Stans are: the Stanserhorn (1900m) mountain and tourist resort, the main square (Dorfplatz), the parish church St. Peter und Paul (built 1641 - 1647) with a Romanesque tower, the monastery St. Klara, a monument for the local hero Winkelried and his birth place (Winkelriedhaus), a Chapucin monastery, a salt storage house, and an old alleyway (Schmiedgasse).

Links

• Official Page (German)
• Stanserhorn