Which founding cantons (Urkantone) formed an alliance in 1291?

In 1291, the three valley communities on Lake Lucerne recorded their alliance in the Federal Charter (Bundesbrief). That is why they are called the founding cantons (Urkantone).

Common mistakes

C: Bern, Zurich, Zug

Zurich, Zug and Bern only joined the Confederation in the 14th century (1351 to 1353).

B: Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg

Geneva, Vaud and Fribourg were outside the alliance at that time; Geneva and Vaud only became cantons in the 19th century.

1291, the Rütli and William Tell

At the beginning of August 1291, three valley communities on Lake Lucerne formed an alliance: Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. They are called the founding cantons (Urkantone). Today Unterwalden is divided into two cantons: Obwalden and Nidwalden. The alliance is recorded in a document in Latin, the Federal Charter. In it, the valley communities promised each other mutual help and wanted to settle disputes peacefully.

History of Switzerland · Beginnings and the Old Swiss Confederacy

Sources

• stadt-zuerich.ch
• zh.ch
• hls-dhs-dss.ch

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.