A split apple and a murder: the story of Wilhelm Tell

by Rosa Rietzler • 2018-11-21 • Report • Central Switzerland

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Apple-shot, sketch of engraving by Charles Chasselat (1829)
Photo: Charles-Abraham Chasselat, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

For some people, he embodies freedom and independence; for others, he is just a myth: Wilhelm Tell, who is told to have shot an apple off his son’s head with a crossbow. The story originates in Central Switzerland when the original cantons started a rebellion against oppression and tyranny. Wilhelm Tell became a Swiss national hero – undoubtedly influenced by Schiller's popular drama from 1804.

Village · Central Switzerland

Bürglen

Central Switzerland

Region Luzern-Vierwaldstättersee

In the 13th century, the House of Habsburg claimed ownership over the “Waldstätte”, the area of today’s Lake Lucerne, and oppressed the local population. According to the legend, representatives of the cantons Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden united during the famous Rütli oath of 1291 to form an alliance against the tyranny. Wilhelm Tell of Bürglen is told to have greatly influenced the fight for independence due to his heroic act.

The legend of the apple shot

According to the myth, the imperious bailiff Hermann Gessler raised a pole in the market square market, put a hat on top and ordered everyone who passed the pole to greet the hat. Wilhelm, however, publicly refused. Gessler knew that Tell was an excellent marksman and put him to a cruel test: He ordered him to shoot an apple off his son’s head to save both of their lives. Tell put an arrow in his crossbow – holding a second one nearby – and targeted it at the apple. He succeeded.

When Gessler asked Tell what the second arrow was meant for, Tell did not hesitate to admit that the second arrow was meant for the bailiff if Tell would have killed his son. The raged Gessler ordered the arrest of Tell and to have him taken across Lake Lucerne to the dungeon in the castle at Küssnacht. But a storm opened and Tell could flee from the boat to a rock which is still referred to as the Tellsplatte. He hurried to Küssnacht pursued by Gessler who had escaped death in the lake. In an ambush, Tell murdered the tyrannical Vogt at “Hohlen Gasse”. This act of heroism was said to have encouraged the oppressed rise up against the Habsburg so that the population of the forest site could become independent. Tell himself is believed to have died in the Schächenbach in 1354 in an attempt to save a child.

Altdorf

Visiting the historical places of the Urschweiz

For some people, Wilhelm Tell undoubtedly represents the central figure of the Swiss national history. Others doubt the truth of the historic story. There is no valid evidence that proves that Tell ever lived. The motif of the apple shot can be found in several European myths. Be that as it may, you get a chance to follow in the footsteps of the Swiss national hero and get a first-hand impression of his legend on foot or by bike.

Tell Museum and Festival: experiencing a heroic story

The Tell-Museum provides a proper insight into the national myths. The village center of Bürglen provides a large collection of documents, depictions and items regarding the freedom fighter. The open-air museum also takes you to all Tell-sites around Lake Lucerne such as the Tell memorial in Altendorf, the mountain meadow Rütli or Schillerstein. The Tellspielhaus in Altendorf organizes the so-called Tellspiele (Tell plays) every four years. They always perform Schiller’s “Wilhelm Tell” with a modern zeitgeist. Thus, there is nothing in the way of reliving the heroic story!