For 411 years, the village of Gersau was a free place under the protectorate of the Swiss Confederates, an independent republic for 368 years and the smallest free state in Europe with an area of just 24 km2. Gersau was once only accessible by canoe, rowing boat or on foot. The village lies at the southern foot of the Rigi in a climatically sheltered bay on Lake Lucerne.
The first written mention of Gersau is found in 1064 in the founder's book of Muri Abbey. The first landlords of Gersau were the Counts of Lenzburg, who founded Muri Abbey.
The Engelberg monastery bought 1345 Planggenalp from the Gersauers. Another important alliance was 1359 confirmed: Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne admit Gersau and Weggis to the Confederation.
Decisive changes took place when the Gersauers set about buying the seigniorial rights themselves. Four years after the Battle of Sempach (1386), they acquired "courts and taxes" from the von Moos siblings for 690 pounds Plappart. It is assumed that this was possible because of the sale of Planggenalp. Court jurisdiction and bailiwick are thus transferred to Gersau. Gersau became a free town, a free commune and a place belonging to the Confederation. The 1390 The Gersauers can be proud of their acquired liberal status. 1433 confirmed by Emperor Sigismund. This is the beginning of the Republic of Gersau, a free state with imperial immediacy.
After the occupation by the French 1798 and the provisional end of the republic, Gersau is assigned to the canton of Waldstätten for 5 years. During the Meditation 1803-1813, Gersau is then assigned to the Canton of Schwyz as the district of Gersau. The citizens of Gersau wanted a return to the independent community that had existed before the French Revolution. On 2 February 1814 The Republic is proclaimed for the second time in Gersau.
In the year 1817 On 22 July, Gersau was then awarded to the canton of Schwyz against its will at the Tagsatzung in Bern. 13.5 cantons were in favour, four central Swiss cantons, Fribourg and Appenzell Ausserrhoden were against. From 1818 Gersau is now the second-named district in the canton of Schwyz.
