On the first Thursday in April, unless it’s during the week before Easter (Karwoche), the Näfelser Fahrt in Glarus, Switzerland takes place. It commemorates the Battle of Näfels on April 9th, 1388, when the Old Swiss Confederation (Eidgenossenschaft) and people from Glarus fought against a superior number of Habsburg (Austrian) forces and won. It was the last battle between the Swiss Confederates and Austria. The day is a holiday only the Canton of Glarus.
Background History
In the 14th century, the Canton (similar to a federal state) Glarus was under the control of the Austrian Habsburg house. Especially the city of Weesen was of strategic importance because it ensured the access to the waterways to Zürich and Rapperwil. However, the Glarner tried to free themselves and in 1352 entered an alliance with Zürich, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden which was relatively one-sided with Glarus having to provide support should it be necessary while the other Cantons would not have to help Glarus. The Glarner built a Letzi or Letzimauer (a barrier to prevent entry to a valley) to protect themselves.
Shortly thereafter, Glarus came under Habsburg control once again and only in 1386 did they start another try to rid themselves of the occupiers. In the Battle of Sempbach on July 9th, 1386, the Swiss Confederates seized the city of Weesen. The Glarner themselves destroyed the castle Windegg and enacted their first own law which meant the rejection of the Habsburg reign.
The Habsburger didn’t accept this and through allies within Weesen who opened the city gates they were able to enter the town during the night of the 21st to the 22nd of February 1388. In this “Mordnacht von Weesen” (murder night of Weesen) many Swiss Confederates were surprised in their sleep and killed.
Battle of Näfels 1388
The Habsburg army (around 600 horsemen and 5000 foot soldiers) under Duke Albrecht III stayed and expanded their conquest until they breached the Letzimauer which was armed by 300 Glarner men. From there the Habsburger entered and looted the towns of Näfels, Mollis, Netstal, and Glarus.
The common people of the Canton Glarus pulled together along with men from Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden and around 600 men met at the Rautiberg by Näfels. On April 9th, 1388, this small army of farmers and commoners was able to push back the attacking Habsburg army by throwing rocks and stones at them. Many of the retreating Habsburger died in the swampy river area by Weesen. When the Habsburg reinforcement saw the defeat they too retreated.
54 Swiss Confederates died during the Battle of Näfels and were buried in Mollis.
Peace Agreement
After the defeat of the Habsburger, a peace agreement was reached. In it, and in its extension of 1394, Habsburg ceased all rights to their eight former towns thereby losing access to the pass over the Alpes. Out of revenge, the Swiss Confederates destroyed Weesen and it was forbidden to rebuild the city. Today Weesen is a small town in the Canton St. Gallen counting around 1700 residents.
Näfelser Fahrt
When exactly the Näfelser Fahrt, (Fahrt as in Wallfahrt – pilgrimage) a procession of citizens, marching bands, clerical and political representatives as well as a military delegation, started is not clear. Possibly, the first pilgrimage as an act of thankfulness and praise of God and his saints took place the year after the battle in 1389. However, most historians lean towards the year 1420.
The Fahrtsbrief (procession letter) which recalls the events leading up to and of the battle and lists the victims is read in every procession. The oldest version of this document was written between 1404 and 1443. Which is why most people think the first procession including a Seelenmesse (requiem) for the fallen started around 1420.
Starting at the latest in the 16th century the story of the Battle of Näfels has been part of the Swiss Liberation Tradition. During that time battle songs were written. The remembrance has played an important role in the forming of a national and shared identity.
Näfelser Fahrt Procedure
The Näfelser Fahrt follows a specific protocol. The way it is handled today was decided in 1835 when a conscious effort was made to reconcile the differences between the Catholics and the Reformed by reminding them of their shared history.
It starts at 7:15 on the first Thursday in April (except when it falls in the Karwoche) at the Zeughaus (armory) in Glarus with a military honor guard, a singing society, and marching bands. A second group is the Catholic procession with cross and flag bearers. Both groups meet in Schneisingen.
When the government representative arrives and gives a speech at the first memorial stone the Näfelser Fahrt officially begins. The procession stops at the many memorials on the way to the Schlachtdenkmal (Battle Memorial) in Näfels to say prayers.
The Fahrt starts with the song “Grosser Gott, wir loben dich” followed by the reading of the Fahrtsbrief. Short sermons are given in turn by a reformed and a Catholic pastor.
The following video is the Näfelser Fahrt in 2015 in a timelapse. It gives you an impression who is participating and where they are going. Under sources and resources you can find a playlist with more videos about the Näfelser Fahrten.
