Goldau

Goldau is a village located in the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, part of the municipality of Arth. It lies at the foot of Mount Rigi and Mount Rossberg, known for its scenic views of Lake Zug and the surrounding Swiss Alps.

Goldau is notable for being the site of the Goldau rockslide of 1806, one of the largest natural disasters in Swiss history. A large portion of Mount Rossberg detached and crashed down onto the village and surrounding areas, burying Goldau and several other settlements, resulting in significant loss of life. The area impacted by the landslide remains a landscape of scattered boulders and debris, now partly forested.

Today, Goldau is a tourist destination, serving as a convenient base for exploring the region. The Tierpark Goldau (Goldau Nature Park), a large zoo and nature reserve, is a prominent attraction. The village also has good transport links, with a railway station on the Gotthard line, connecting it to major Swiss cities. The name "Goldau" itself is derived from "gold" (gold) and "Au" (a meadow beside water).