William Tell is perhaps the most famous Swiss person in the world--although few people know that he was Swiss. Considered the Swiss National Hero of Liberty, William Tell is famous for his refusal to comply with the corrupt rule of the Bailiff Gessler, who in turn set Tell to the task of shooting an apple from his son's head in exchange for his life. Following his escape from custody, William Tell shot Bailiff Gessler dead with his crossbow and set into motion the oath of the Swiss confederates at Rutli. Debate continues as to whether or not William Tell was a real historical figure or just a folk hero, but there is no arguing that he is an important figure to Swiss cultural identity. The monument commemorating William Tell's deeds stands in Altdorf and ranks among the most important sites in Switzerland.
The Rutli Monument, located on the northern shore of Lake Lucerne, is the site of the 13th-century formation of the Swiss Confederation. Called "the cradle of the Swiss Confederation," the site is marked with a flag in the meadow where delegates from Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden met to form an oath to protect one another from oppression by the Hapsburg overlords. Although it is not a spectacular monument, it is an important place that holds great significance for the Swiss.
Chateau de Chillon is the most visited historical monument in Switzerland. Located on the northern shores of Lake Lucerne, the chateau has had a long and turbulent history stretching back over 1,000 years. Built in the 12th century by the Savoy family, the site is known to have been continually occupied since the Bronze Age, and many artifacts of those earlier inhabitants have been found on the grounds of the castle. The castle was built on a rocky island at the edge of the lake to facilitate the monitoring of trade routes that passed nearby. In 1536 the castle was conquered and occupied by the Bernese, who used it as a fortress, prison, and arsenal for more than 260 years. In 1798 the castle changed hands again, this time becoming the property of the Canton, or county, of Vaud. Chateau de Chillon was designated as a historical monument in the late 19th century and has since become the most visited site in the country.
