A canton with flair and a past
In the canton of Glarus German is used as the official language. The capital of the canton is the city of the same name, Glarus. The canton is a member of the Swiss Confederation. Many Swiss name the canton of Glarus and the city of Glaris. However, this is supported by region handled differently for each region. Glaris is both the French and Latin names for Glarus.
The canton has a total area of 685 square kilometers. In the canton itself there are a few lakes in beautiful natural surroundings.
There is something special in the canton of Glarus. Because since May 6, 2007, the voting age of 16 years has been a resolved matter. Citizens who are entitled to vote are allowed to vote and have a say in the canton at the age of 16. However, this only applies to cantonal matters. All decisions going beyond this can only be determined from the usual 18th year of life.
Tourism
In the canton of Glarus, tourism is very important. Especially in the S The cities of Braunwald, Elm and Filzbach have a lot to offer in terms of tourism. The service businesses are sprouting up here. Whether hotel, wellness facility or hiking route guide, there is really everything here for an interesting day out or a whole vacation.
Even if you don’t want to travel by car, you can take the train to almost all of the canton’s villages. Glarus is very well connected to the transport network and has one of the most important transport hubs in the area.
The history of the Canton of Glarus
The first finds date from the Bronze Age. It is assumed that at that time the first people lived in what is now the canton of Glarus. Further finds from the Celtic period show that the area was probably continuously inhabited.
The Romans later shaped the image of the canton area. The typical Roman buildings on Lake Walen and Kerenzen can still be found today.
Glarus came under the dominance of the Habsburgs in the 13th century. These tried to shake off the Glarus people. The people of Glarus were quite independent and, of course, didn’t want to just give up. This became too uncomfortable for the Habsburgs, they simply wanted to get rid of the Glarus people. In 1352 there was a first attempt at reconquest by the Habsburg side, but it failed. They entered into a covenant with the confederates and built a last wall. The remains of it can still be seen today.
On April 9, 1388, however, Glarus made history. In the battle of Näfels they defeat the quite superior Habsburg soldiers and thus free themselves from Habsburg rule. The Näfels ride is supposed to commemorate this glorious day every first Thursday in April.
In 1799 the Glarnerland became a scene of destruction. Foreign armies fought on Glarner’s soil. It was about the fighting of the French against the Russians. The French army forces the Russian to retreat, making losses. During this time, around 1,200 almost starved children migrate to other cantons.
