"The cradle of the confederation" Chamber of the Swiss national Council by Charles Giron (1859-1914), 1901.
Photograph: www.parlament.ch.

Swiss Culture and History in European perspective

In the spotlight

The Swabian, Tyroler, Engadiner or Swiss War in the Heart of Europe

Four names for the same conflict symbolise Switzerland’s complex history. The war in 1499, or rather a series of battles along the Bodensee, Alpine, High, and Upper Rhine, in Tyrol, Graubünden, Vorarlberg, the Rhine Valley (Rheintal), and the Sundgau and Jura, ushered in a new phase of the relationship between the Confederation (Eidgenossenschaft), Habsburg, Outer … Read more » “The Swabian, Tyroler, Engadiner or Swiss War in the Heart of Europe”

In the spotlight

Grindelwald, its Bergschaften, Jungfraujoch and Eigergletscher

Grindelwald (canton of Bern) is well known for its location at the foot of the Jungfrau and the Jungfraujoch. Today, the municipality of Grindelwald is divided into seven Bergschaften (Bussalp, Holzmatten, Bach, Grindel, Scheidegg, Wärgistal, and Itramen). This situation was different in the 12th century. Barons (Freiherren) ruled the area in the 12th century. However, … Read more » “Grindelwald, its Bergschaften, Jungfraujoch and Eigergletscher”

Events

Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel 25th anniversary

The Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel (CDN) will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2025. The celebrations will begin on 21 February, and the programme will be gradually unveiled on the CDN website. The building designed by Mario Botta encompasses Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s home, making it an integral part of the Centre Dürrenmatt, inaugurated in 2000. The CDN exists … Read more » “Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel 25th anniversary”

Commemorations

The Toblerone Trail, Château de Prangins and the Pink Villa

The trail (Sentier des Toblerones) owes its name to a line of fortifications built during the mobilization of 1939-45. “Toblerones” is the name the population has given to anti-tank fortification whose elements are reminiscent of the famous brand of Swiss chocolate. The so-called Promenthouse fortified line is based on a natural obstacle formed by the … Read more » “The Toblerone Trail, Château de Prangins and the Pink Villa”

Monuments

The first Carthusian Monastery in Switzerland

Switzerland is not only the land of the reformers Johannes Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, Guillaume Farel, and Johannes Oekolampad. This region had many monasteries of the various monastic orders until the Reformation. Although most monasteries were abolished just after the Reformation (first half of the 16th century) or in the following centuries and sometimes disappeared completely, … Read more » “The first Carthusian Monastery in Switzerland”

Latest news

Erasmus of Rotterdam is back in Basel from not being away.

On Friday, 7 February, publishing House Donker Uitgeverij from Rotterdam presented the complete Dutch edition of Erasmus’ correspondence at the University of Basel’s Kollegienhaus. The publisher noted that this monk’s work took more than 20 years. First row, from left to right: Mustafa Atici (Regierungsrat Kanton Basel-Stadt), Karin Mössenlechner (Ambassador of the Kingdom of the … Read more » “Erasmus of Rotterdam is back in Basel from not being away.”

Agenda

The ‘Verso’ context of Painted Works at Kunstmuseum Basel

The exhibition Verso shows what is hidden on the backside of paintings and painted (religious) works from the 14th to 18th centuries. One should be aware that these works of art were not displayed in museums but in their spiritual or secular context. Their meaning and symbolism were clear for contemporaries. This context is missing in … Read more » “The ‘Verso’ context of Painted Works at Kunstmuseum Basel”

Agenda »

Constitution, Democracy, cantons

The True European Union of 26 cantons

The Celts and Romans Celtic and Rhaetian tribes populated the territory of present-day Switzerland centuries before the arrival of the Romans. They were in close (trade) contact with Germanic tribes, the Mediterranean region and northern countries.  After Rome’s occupation (15-13 BC, Geneva (Genava 122 BC), the construction of towns and roads and transport over mountain … Read more » “The True European Union of 26 cantons”

Local history

Interlaken, Inter lacus Monastery, Unterseen and the virgin

Interlaken means between the lakes, the Brienzersee and the Thunersee. This is well known. Much less known, however, is its namesake: the monastery ‘Inter lacus’. In the 14th century, the double monastery (Doppelkloster) had a men’s and a women’s section, with 300 nuns and 40 monks. Unterseen on the right and the Spielmatte, 18th century. … Read more » “Interlaken, Inter lacus Monastery, Unterseen and the virgin”

Nature and Tourism

The Hasenberg Tower, Rhine Swimming, Wettingen Monastery and Swiss Wood

Paris has its Eiffel Tower (built in 1889), but Hasenberg has the Hasenberg Tower (Hasenbergturm). Although this tower (Gemeinde Widen, canton of Aargau) is considerably lower (40 metres) and younger (2021) than the Eiffel Tower (312 metres, 1665 steps to the top) and has fewer steps (210), it stands out far above it because of … Read more » “The Hasenberg Tower, Rhine Swimming, Wettingen Monastery and Swiss Wood”