In the spotlight
Direct Democracy and the Disputatio
500 years ago, in 1526, a disputatio took place in Baden (in what is now the canton of Aargau). On 19 May 1526, envoys, theologians, clergymen, humanists, scribes and printers from the Confederation of the 13 Cantons travelled to Baden. The 200 attendees discussed matters of religious truth during the day’s proceedings. In the disputation, … Read more » “Direct Democracy and the Disputatio”
In the spotlight
Federal musicality at a local level
More than 40 mountain peaks over 4,000 metres, some 1,500 lakes, large and small, thousands of rivers and streams, and perhaps the highest number of herb gardens per square kilometre in Europe. The per-capita musicality is also substantial, in both quality and quantity. It is estimated that in the city of Basel (around 185,000 inhabitants) … Read more » “Federal musicality at a local level”
Events
Erasmus is back in Basel
The great humanist, theologian, writer and scholar Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536) is not only buried in Basel Cathedral, but his legacy will also be celebrated in Basel during the ‘Erasmus klingt! Festival – LAB’. It is an interdisciplinary festival that aims to highlight Erasmus’s influence on the sciences in the centuries that followed. From 6 … Read more » “Erasmus is back in Basel”
Commemorations
The Minor Basilica of Mariastein Celebrates its Centenary
15 August 1926 was a special day for the centuries-old Benedictine monastery and place of pilgrimage, Mariastein in the canton of Solothurn. On this day, the monastery church was granted the status of Minor Basilica by the Vatican, a higher status within the Catholic Church. has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries, attracting around … Read more » “The Minor Basilica of Mariastein Celebrates its Centenary”
Monuments
Ardez and Steinsberg Castle
The region has been a battlefield for centuries. The Counts of Tyrol, the (Austrian and Spanish) Habsburgs, local dynasties, the Bünder alliances and their (French) allies were the main protagonists until the last war, the Bündner Wirren (1618-1639). The Lords of Frickingen of Überlingen am Bodensee built the Steinsberg castle in Ardez (Community of Scuol, … Read more » “Ardez and Steinsberg Castle”
Latest news
500 years Literary Romansh texts
12 August 2026
In 2027, the Romansh language will celebrate 500 years since the first literary Romansh text was written. The Zuoz lawyer, politician and diplomat Gian Travers (1483-1563) wrote the ‘Chianzun dalla guerra dagl Chiastè da Müs’ in 1527. The anniversary will be celebrated with an open-air play, themed walks in the Romansh-speaking valleys and events in … Read more » “500 years Literary Romansh texts”
Agenda
Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s journey to Spain (1758-1759)
2 June 2026
On the advice and encouragement of George Keith (1686–1778), also known as Milord Maréchal, the governor of the Principality of Neuchâtel, Pierre Jaquet-Droz (1721–1790) – a watchmaker from La Chaux-de-Fonds, who had already built up a reputation in Switzerland and beyond – decided to travel to Madrid in 1758 to present some of his finest … Read more » “Pierre Jaquet-Droz’s journey to Spain (1758-1759)”
Constitution, Democracy, cantons
The Swiss Anthem, the Internationale and the Dismantling of the Confoederatio Helvetica
8 August 2026
In its usual low-key manner, Switzerland celebrated its National Day on 1 August. The Swiss national anthem could be heard throughout the country in German (Schweizerpsalm), French (Cantique suisse), Italian (Salmo svizzero) and Romansh (Psalm svizzer). The Swiss Anthem The Swiss anthem was composed and written by Alberych Zwyssig (1808–1854) and Leonhard Widmer (1808–1868) and … Read more » “The Swiss Anthem, the Internationale and the Dismantling of the Confoederatio Helvetica”
Local history
Schöntal Monastery, the Tüfelsschlucht and the Furnaces in the Dürsteltal
22 May 2026
Love and hate, good and evil, the devil and the angel, the canton of Basel-Landschaft and the canton of Solothurn sometimes merge seamlessly. This is also true of the former Schöntal Monastery near Langenbruck (canton of Basel-Landschaft) and, a few kilometres further on, the Tüfelsschlucht (Devil’s Gorge) in the canton of Solothurn. The Tüfelsschlucht near … Read more » “Schöntal Monastery, the Tüfelsschlucht and the Furnaces in the Dürsteltal”
Nature and Tourism
Roman archaeo-zoology in Augusta Raurica
18 August 2026
Equus asinus (donkey), Bos taurus (cow), Numida meleagris (guinea fowl), capra hircus (goat), columba domestica (pigeon), pavo cristatus (peacock), sus domesticus (pig), gallus gallus (hen), anser domesticus (goose), anas domesticus (duck) or columba domestica (pigeon) are just some of the animals found in the Roman archaeo-zoology (Archäozoologie) in Augusta Raurica in Augst (Canton of Basel-Landschaft). … Read more » “Roman archaeo-zoology in Augusta Raurica”