Silenen is situated on the driveway leading up to the Gotthard pass, which represents the most important communication in the Alps between North and South. This municipality is divided into three localities: Silenen, Amsteg and Bristen.
The former pass routes were narrow mule tracks. One of the oldest path lead from Silenen via Frentschenberg, Chrüzlipass, Disentis, Lukmanierpass to Biasca in the canton of Ticino. The route via Schöllenen over the Gotthard pass had not been built until the second half of the 12th century. With the beginning of the13th century, Silenen gained in importance in its role as starting point and staging post for the pople driving the pack animals and the pilgrims. Along the mule track developed an infrastructure with hospices, guesthouses, customs facilities, hospitals, castles, little chapels by the wayside, calvaries and milestones. Many of these constructions along the path that testify to past times, as well as a section of the old Gotthard route, can still be admired in Silenen today. There are several chapels and edifices in late Gothic style to be visited. The buildings known as "Gotthardhäuser" attest to an impressive architecural work of that time. Decorative elements such as diamond-shaped ornaments give these fuctional buildings their peculiar charm.
