Brüngger Old Winches Production.

Alfred Brüngger, the last winch maker in Switzerland, used to work in this historic workshop. Today you can still experience first hand how the craftsman produced winches between soot and fire.

It is the family of Alfred Brüngger, who between 1874 and 2009 forged and manufactured stick winches day after day in their dark workshop. With these helpful devices, loads of several tons could be lifted by hand. The winches were useful in factories, in railway and track construction and quarries. Above all, however, they were used by farmers to cut wood and load heavy tree trunks onto wagons or sleds.

Later, the equipment was replaced by tractors and other lifting devices, and Alfred Brüngger, in the third generation, had to cease operations in 1954. However, he never lost his passion for the craft. Until the end of his life, he cultivated it as a hobby with much love and commitment. The association "Alte Windenmacherei Brüngger Wyla" (Old Winchmaker's Shop Brüngger Wyla) continues this honourable craft: Even today, enthusiastic workers regularly forge in the heritage-protected workshop and are happy to share their fascination for winchmaking with you.

During guided tours, you will learn in detail what the pole winch was useful for. It gets loud and hot when the workers start to use the hammer and the anvil at the forge (fireplace). If you like you can use your muscle power and swing the hammer yourself!