In the spotlight
Evian, Vevey, Savoie and the Ancient Swiss Confederation of Cantons
Politically, linguistically, economically, and culturally, the Lac Léman area has always been a region of intense mutual contact. The bishops of Geneva, the city of Geneva, abbots, counts, and dukes of Savoie, kings of the kingdom of Piedmont-Savoie and France, the Swiss Confederation, Wallis (Valais), and other players determined politics, trade, war, and peace until … Read more » “Evian, Vevey, Savoie and the Ancient Swiss Confederation of Cantons”
In the spotlight
The Anabaptists of Zurich, Zollikon, the Netherlands and humanists from Basel
While many Protestant citizens from the (Habsburg) Low Countries and later the Republic of the Seven United Provinces were students at the academy (founded in 1559) of John Calvin (1509-1564) in Geneva, other Protestant citizens fled the Netherlands precisely for Calvin and his teachings. Martin Luther (1483-1546) initiated the Reformation in 1517. Many predecessors had … Read more » “The Anabaptists of Zurich, Zollikon, the Netherlands and humanists from Basel”
Events
The Via Engadina, from Upper-Engadin, via Guarda to Lower-Engadin
The Via Engiadina is a hiking tour from Casaccia (Bergell) in Upper Engadin (Oberengadin), on the Italian border, to Vinadi in Lower Engadin (Unterengadin), on the Austrian border. The Bergell (Val Bregaglia) borders the Veltlin (Valtellina), which was a subject area for more than two hundred and fifty years (1512-1798), a so-called Untertanengebiet of the … Read more » “The Via Engadina, from Upper-Engadin, via Guarda to Lower-Engadin”
Commemorations
The Swimming Pool Weggis – from a Disgrace to the Lido-Hallenbad Weggis
The period after World War I (1914-1918) also saw many changes in Switzerland’s politics, art, and society. For example, the Kurverein of Weggis opened the open-air swimming pool Weggis Lido in 1919. It was the first facility in Switzerland where men and women bathed together on the open beach, i.e., not separated in their strictly … Read more » “The Swimming Pool Weggis – from a Disgrace to the Lido-Hallenbad Weggis”
Monuments
The moated castle Binningen and the Anabaptist David Joris
The moated castle (Weiherschloss) Binningen was first mentioned in 1299. Its owner is unknown, but the Basler citizen Heinrich von Zeise probably built it. Johann von Brügge alias David Joris and Joachim van Berchem bought the castle, the St Margarethen estate and the Holeeschlösschen in 1545. In 1574, Nikolaus von Hatstatt took over the castle. Many … Read more » “The moated castle Binningen and the Anabaptist David Joris”
Latest news
Launch of the first European trinational master’s program
23 September 2024
The Upper Rhine region has been home to one of the most successful European cooperation projects for decades. Regio Basiliensis in Switzerland and organisations in Baden-Württemberg (Germany) and Alsace (France) are the driving forces. Last 20 September, for example, the opening of the new trinational master’s programme European Digital and Sustainable Business took place. The … Read more » “Launch of the first European trinational master’s program”
Agenda
On a journey with Matisse at the Fondation Beyeler
2 October 2024
The recently opened exhibition ‘Matisse—Einladung zur Reise’ at the Fondation Beyeler features more than 70 important works from renowned European and American museums and private collections. It focuses on the development and diversity of Henri Matisse’s pioneering oeuvre (1869-1954). Based on the famous 1857 poem ‘l’ invitation au voyage’ by Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867), the exhibition … Read more » “On a journey with Matisse at the Fondation Beyeler”
Constitution, Democracy, cantons
The Three Leagues and the Canton of Graubünden 1524-2024
20 September 2024
From the 5th century onwards, the language spoken in today’s Graubünden was mainly Romansh. However, the influence of German-speaking immigrants (Alemanni) from the north and west (the Walser) gradually grew. Politically, the area (then called Rhaetia) was divided into several dominions, monasteries, and counties. It was partly owned by the Counts of Tyrol and later … Read more » “The Three Leagues and the Canton of Graubünden 1524-2024”
Local history
The villages of Göschenen, Wassen and the Tunnels which Connect Europe
24 September 2024
The mountain village of Göschenen and Wassen on the Gotthard Route made history when it constructed the world’s longest railway tunnel. From the 13th century onwards, the mule track on the St. Gotthard developed into one of the most essential European Alpine roads through the railway and later the motorway. This history began around 1220-1230. … Read more » “The villages of Göschenen, Wassen and the Tunnels which Connect Europe”
Nature and Tourism
Gurtnellen, strahlnen, Crystal and the Gotthard Pass
26 September 2024
Many people (including Swiss) have probably never heard of Strahlnen (or Strahlen). Yet strahlnen has made the village of Gurtnellen in the canton of Uri and places in other cantons world-famous. Monarchs from all over Europe had chandeliers and other objects made from crystal from Uri and other cantons. Strahlnen (or strahlen) is the Swiss … Read more » “Gurtnellen, strahlnen, Crystal and the Gotthard Pass”