In the spotlight
The Ruins of Farnsburg Castle and the Roman Temple at Grienmatt
The ruins of Farnsburg Castle (Canton of Basel-Landschaft), near the villages of Buus, Ormalingen and Magden, and the ruins of the Roman temple at Grienmatt near Kaiseraugst (Canton of Aargau) are located less than five kilometres apart. The Lords of Farnsburg, however, were unaware of this Roman temple. Likewise, the inhabitants of this first Roman … Read more » “The Ruins of Farnsburg Castle and the Roman Temple at Grienmatt”
In the spotlight
Concilium totius Galliae, Lugdunum, Augusta Raurica, Aventicum and Helvetia
Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD) became the new ruler of the Roman Empire in 31 BC, following a civil war (44–31 BC). However, due to Rome’s centuries-old republican past and the aversion to a monarchy, from 27 BC onwards he styled himself Princeps, first among equals or first citizen. He was no ordinary man, … Read more » “Concilium totius Galliae, Lugdunum, Augusta Raurica, Aventicum and Helvetia”
Events
Surses, Mulegns and the Weisse Turm in the running for an Oscar?
The Surses (canton of Graubünden) is a valley where stories and history are captured in houses, façades, Grand Hotels and other premises. The valley lies along an ancient mountain pass. Anyone travelling through here is following in the footsteps of the Raetians and the Romans. That is why Romansh (Surmiran Idiom) is also spoken in … Read more » “Surses, Mulegns and the Weisse Turm in the running for an Oscar?”
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
Vaumarcus Castle
The castle of Vaumarcus (canton of Neuchâtel) dates back to the 12th century and was first mentioned in 1285. The Vaumarcus barony consisted of the village of Vaumarcus and the hamlets of Le Moulin and Vernéaz. The castle and its territory were sold in 1308 to Count Rudolf IV of Neuchâtel (1274-1343), also called Rolin. The Count … Read more » “Vaumarcus Castle”
Latest news
Habsburgs’ Ancestral Lands in European Perspective
21 September 2026
It recently happened to a resident of Habsburg (Canton of Aargau). When he tried to book a room at a hotel in Austria and listed his place of residence as ‘Habsburg’, he was met with disbelief. Habsburg in Switzerland? But Habsburg is an Austrian dynasty and an Austrian name! In other countries and even in … Read more » “Habsburgs’ Ancestral Lands in European Perspective”
Agenda
From the Stars to Atomes
2 September 2026
Through a programme spread over four sites and an associated programme, the project invites visitors to explore the various ways time has been observed, measured, preserved and shared — from astronomical practices to contemporary atomic technologies. Following this chronological and conceptual thread, the exhibition Des étoiles aux atomes highlights the close links between the observation of the … Read more » “From the Stars to Atomes”
Constitution, Democracy, cantons
What Permafrost and Bilaterals III Have in Common
30 September 2026
Permafrost is causing the Swiss mountains to collapse. The planned new agreement with the European Union undermines not only direct democracy, trust in institutions, and the sovereignty of the cantons, but also the connecting elements of Switzerland’s successful decentralised, federal model based on subsidiarity. It could hardly be more symbolic. Perhaps nature has a very … Read more » “What Permafrost and Bilaterals III Have in Common”
Local history
The Villages Ormalingen and Buus near the Farnsburg
4 October 2026
Two small villages near the Farnsburg Castle tell the story of this castle, once called the ‘Queen of Castles’ in this region. Time has passed by, but the links are still clearly visible. Ormalingen The village of Ormalingen has always had close ties to the Farnsburg. The village’s coat of arms commemorates its former inhabitants, … Read more » “The Villages Ormalingen and Buus near the Farnsburg”
Nature and Tourism
The Alps and the Poet Von Haller
28 August 2026
For centuries, mountains were a ‘no go area’ for townspeople or villagers. Only cattle farmers and traders climbed mountains to pasture their cattle in the summer or transport cattle, their meat and milk products. Jan Haeckert (1628-1690), around 1670. Collection: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Nobody thought of climbing a mountain for pleasure. Although the Dutch and Flemish … Read more » “The Alps and the Poet Von Haller”