Altdorf is best known as the place where, according to the legend, William Tell shot the apple from his son's head.
He sent a number of statuettes to the various exhibitions, notably one of Gilbert Louis Duprez as William Tell.
In the Dietrich cycle it descended to Egill was compelled to prove his skill as an archer by shooting an apple off the head of his three-year-old son; he is thus th of William Tell.
The alleged proofs of the existence of a real William Tell in Uri in the 14th century break down hopelessly.
On the main quay is a statue of William Tell by the sculptor Vincenzo Vela (1820-1891), a native of the town, while other works by him are in the gardens of private villas in the neighbourhood.
