The town of Einsiedeln is best known for its monastery, which houses the Chapel of Grace and the statue of the Black Madonna. The monastery is also a stop on the pilgrim route, the Way of St James (Camino de Santiago), which ultimately leads to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain. By way of trivia, I should add that this route is marked by a drawing of a St James shell.
The story of St Meinrad
The story of St Meinrad is inextricably linked with the history of this place. He came from a noble family and was born shortly before 800. After many years, first studying at the monastery school and then working as a teacher, Meinrad felt a great longing for a life of solitude. He wished to devote himself exclusively to prayer and sacred reading.
He first settled in Etzel, on the south bank of the Zürichsee. Even here, however, people did not give the monk any peace. Therefore, in the year around 835, he moved deeper into the forest. He probably built his hermitage and chapel on the site where the Grace Chapel (die Gnadenkapelle) is now located in the monastery church. He spent 26 years here.
A cruel crime and two ravens
According to legend, the monk kept two ravens in his household, which played an important role after his death and still adorn the coat of arms of the monastery and the municipality of Einsiedeln today.
In January 861, two vagabonds came to Meinrad’s hermitage looking for valuables. However, they did not just stop at stealing. They also murdered a monk, the only protector of the place. Legend has it that these two ravens, witnesses to a macabre crime, set off in pursuit of the murderers. In doing so, they helped people find the criminals who had been sentenced to death.
Initially, Meinrad’s corpse was buried on the monastery island in Reichenau, where the monk spent many years and was ordained. However, in 1039, more than 170 years after the saint’s death, the relics were returned to Einsiedeln. His head rests in a silver reliquary on the main altar of the monastery church.
The entire complex of monastery buildings is very impressive. And in its courtyard, to my surprise, there are stables. Horses have been bred here for more than 1,000 years.
Other attractions in Einsiedeln
The municipality of Einsiedeln is not just a destination for pilgrims. Its location in the middle of the mountains, right next to the Sihlsee lake, also attracts winter sports and hikers. The views are sensational. In particular, the beautiful Grosser and Kleiner Mythen peaks stand out.
Ski jumping fans, on the other hand, will be able to see the ski jumps up close.
About Lachen
The route itself is quite easy (tarmac paths predominate) and very well signposted. Closer to Lachen we again have a view of the snow-capped peaks and the lake, or rather two lakes – Zürichsee and Obersee.
Finally, I must unfortunately disappoint you and deprive you of any illusions. The name of the municipality of Lachen is not connected to its ever smiling inhabitants. It is derived from the Old High German word “Lache, Sumpf” (puddle, swamp) and refers to the swampy shores of the Obersee, on which Lachen lies.
