Mysterious light show: Solar event in the Martinsloch
The impressive natural phenomenon around the legendary Martinsloch is about to happen again. On Monday, 29 September and Tuesday, 30 September 2025, the sun shines through the natural rock window directly onto the church spire of Elm. A quiet interplay between nature and culture.
It is a magical sight when the sun, just before sunrise, casts its rays through the St. Martin’s window onto the tower of the late Gothic church in Elm. The event lasts only about five minutes, after which the sun disappears to rise definitively over the Tschingelhörner mountains shortly afterwards.
An impressive play of light that has always been moving
This natural spectacle of light and shadow can be observed for two days, and with a bit of luck with the weather, on 29 September the sun will shine directly onto the church of Elm at exactly 09:29. On 30 September the event will be repeated at 09:32. Meeting point from 9:00 at the church in Elm.
The sun can also be seen on the village street before and after the event. The locations will be marked and there will be exciting explanations from a specialist on all days. More information on the exact times: www.elm.ch/sonnenereignis.
An exciting framework of light, UNESCO, nature conservation and fine local produce
Hans Rhyner, a specialist, will provide information on the phenomenon. The event will be followed by a guided tour of the only slate tablet factory in Switzerland in Elm with local guides, as well as a walk with a GeoGuide Sardona through the ‘Gandwald’ nature reserve in Elm. There will also be market stalls with fine local produce on both days. The GeoGuides Sardona will be manning a stand with exciting information on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona.
Culinary delights and accommodation
The hotels and guesthouses in and around Elm offer regional specialities and cosy rooms, so you can easily combine a visit to this natural phenomenon with an overnight stay or a relaxing stopover.
More informations: elm.ch/sonnenereignis
Other events in connection with the Martinsloch and Elm
Monday, 29 September 2025
- Public guided tour of the slate board factory in Elm from 10.00 to 11.30
- Gandwald guided tour (nature reserve) in Elm with a GeoGuide from 10.30 to 15.00
- More information: elm.ch/sonnenereignis
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
- Public guided tour of the slate board factory in Elm from 10.00 to 11.30
More information: elm.ch/sonnenereignis
Sunday, 5 October 2025
- 30th Alpine cheese and Schabziger cheese market in the village centre of Elm (all day) –
- public guided tour of the slate board factory in Elm from 10.00 (30-minute short tour) –
- Natural phenomenon in the Martinsloch in Elm from 19.00 to 21.00
More information: elm.ch/mondereignis / elm.ch/chaesmaert
Thursday, 16 October 2025
- Solar phenomenon on Ämpächli in Elm from 8.00
More information: sportbahnenelm.ch
Image captions
Elm Martinsloch Solar phenomenon I VISIT Glarnerland AG / Maya Rhyner
