Chäppeliweg

Since antiquity, there has been a trade route over the Brünig via Grimsel and Griess Pass to Italy. Evidence for this is provided by the hollow way blasted into the rock between Summerweid and the Brand forest clearing. Until the conquest of the Schöllenen Gorge in the 13th century, this was the only crossing of the Central Alps southwards. Part of the path follows the old Roman road. In front of the Brand forest clearing, you can even see the old staircase that remains from the Alpine crossing. More recent finds show, however, that the Romans were not the first conquerors of the Brünig. A shard found at Brand was dated to 1000 years before Christ and a small knife made of rock crystal even to 8000 years before Christ.

The castle chapel could also tell many exciting stories. Near the current chapel, a small house of worship has stood since the early 16th century as a memorial against the Reformation. It was probably built in memory of Hans im Sand from Meiringen. He had helped many of his countrymen who wanted to remain faithful to the old faith to flee over the Brünig. Before his execution, he was pardoned. Instead of being quartered, he was only beheaded. The Chäppeli is also mentioned many times in a commander's diary during the War of the Twelve Cantons (second Villmerger War 1712). On the meadow next to the chapel, a parade was held every morning at 5 a.m. and the order to stand guard was given. This meadow still carries the name: Paradner.