It’s closer to heaven than most places of worship.
Behold the incredible chapel that sits on the edge of a mountain – at an elevation of 1,864m (6,115 feet) above sea level.
The Klimsenkapelle, which translates to Klimsen Chapel, is located on the Klimsenhorn summit, a mountain peak in the Pilatus massif, Switzerland.
Complete with supporting pillars and a red roof turret, the neo-Gothic chapel rests on a dramatic cliff edge overlooking Lake Lucerne.
The church was built as part of entrepreneur Kaspar Blattler’s Hotel Klimsenhorn, which was constructed between 1856 and 1860, with the chapel completing the complex in 1861.
The Klimsenkapell (above) sits on the Klimsenhorn summit, a mountain peak in the Pilatus massif, Switzerland
The incredible chapel is 1,864m (6,115 feet) above sea level and overlooks Lake Lucerne
The church was originally built as part of Hotel Klimsenhorn, which was demolished in 1967
The hotel, whose notable visitors included Richard Wagner and Queen Victoria, was demolished in 1967.
After the hotel’s closure, the small chapel remained but was only used as a shelter for mountaineers.
It has since become a listed building, with the Nidwalden government council including it as a monument in 2002.
After the hotel’s closure, the small chapel remained, but was only used as a shelter for mountaineers
Klimsenkapelle isn’t the easiest church to get to, Wikipedia notes. It has an annual temperature of 0.9 degrees and is exposed to extreme weather conditions, including storm gusts and high rainfall.
The Pilatus massif is made up of multiple peaks alongside the Klimsenhorn summit, the highest of which is named Tomlishorn, which sits at 2,128m (6,983 feet) above sea level.
According to myswitzerland.com: ‘Lucerne’s very own mountain, Pilatus, is one of the most legendary places in Central Switzerland. And one of the most beautiful.
‘On a clear day, the mountain offers a panoramic view of 73 Alpine peaks.’
The mountain can be reached from Lucerne by gondola lift and an aerial cable car from Alpnachstad station in the village of Alpnach.
Pilatus offers a range of activities throughout summer and winter, from a Toboggan slide to snowshoe hiking.
