Churches in Stans

Religious Heritage

Stans preserves a diverse collection of Catholic landmarks reflecting centuries of Swiss religious tradition. The centerpiece is the 17th-century parish church of St. Peter and Paul, which retains its original Romanesque tower. The town's spiritual landscape includes the 16th-century Capuchin Monastery of St. Klara and several specialized chapels, such as the historic Galgenkapelle and the hillside Lourdesgrotte. These sites range from grand Baroque architecture to modest pilgrimage stations scattered throughout the valley.

Religious Heritage — Map

A

St. Peter und Paul

Early Baroque parish church built between 1641 and 1647. It features a distinctive 12th-century Romanesque bell tower that survived from an earlier structure on the site.

B

Kloster St. Klara der Kapuzinerinnen

Founded in 1582, this monastery for Capuchin nuns was a significant center during the Counter-Reformation. The complex includes a simple chapel and historic living quarters.

C

Mettenweg Kapelle - Maria Heimsuchung

A Baroque chapel dedicated to the Visitation of Mary, featuring an ornate altar and serving the local community near the Mettenweg district.

D

St.-Josefs-Kapelle

Small 17th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Joseph, located on the western outskirts of Stans featuring traditional local religious architecture.

E

Knirikapelle

A small roadside chapel located in the Kniri area, serving as a quiet point of reflection for those traveling between the town and the mountain slopes.

F

St.-Heinrich-Kapelle

A traditional Catholic chapel dedicated to Saint Henry, situated on the eastern edge of the town.

G

Lourdesgrotte

A devotional grotto modeled after the Massabielle cave in Lourdes, France, featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary set into the natural rock.

H

Galgenkapelle

Historically known as the "Gallows Chapel," this small structure stands near the site of former public executions and was traditionally used for final prayers.

Other Lists

Stans Essentials