The Swiss Spectator focuses on the history and culture of Switzerland, a remarkable country with a robust business environment, a relatively well-functioning (direct) democracy and respect for the rule of law. There is an overview of museums and exhibitions, cultural events, monuments, the rich cultural heritage, commemorations and the beautiful nature. The relationship between Switzerland and the European Union is also covered. The surrounding regions have always played a crucial role in Swiss history and culture: Northern Italy (Valley of Aoste, Lombardy and Vinschgau (Venosta), Eastern France (Franche-Comté, Alsace, Haute-Savoie and Savoie), Southern Germany (Lake Constance region) and Austria (Vorarlberg). Four periods and subjects are being covered: the Roman Empire and the process of romanisation, the Middle Ages (from the Kingdoms of Burgundy to the sixteenth century), the long nineteenth century (1815-1918) and multicultural, multilinguistic and cosmopolitan Switzerland.
Events & Projects
Swiss Mountain Aid
For 25 years, “Bergversetzer” has been arranging voluntary work assignments in the mountain region. Thousands of hours have already been spent in the mountain areas as part of this joint project of Schweizer Berghilfe (Swiss Mountain Aid). The focus is on the maintenance of natural and cultural landscapes and construction work for the maintenance or creation of … Read more » “Swiss Mountain Aid”
Commemorations
30 Years Vitra Design Museum
The Vitra Design Museum, located in Weil am Rhein, was founded by the Swiss company of that name in the autumn of 1989. Along with the Design Museum in London, which opened the same year. It was one of the first museums to be devoted exclusively to design, establishing one of the world’s leading museums … Read more » “30 Years Vitra Design Museum”
Monuments
Le Vieux-Manoir in Merlach
In 1907, Laure Mallet-Chatoney built a summer residence on the shores of Lake Murten (lac du Morat, canton of Fribourg). The villa in Merlach (Meyriez) was at that time one of the most modern houses in the canton. One of his ancestors had bought a plot of land here in the 18th century and the … Read more » “Le Vieux-Manoir in Merlach”
Multicultural and Cosmopolitan Switzerland
News NewslettersThe development of German-, Italian-, French- and Romansh-speaking cantons will be discussed. The Roman Empire and the Middle Ages are the crucial periods. The present-day multicultural, democratic and cosmopolitan society will also be addressed.
Agenda
The dark Sides of Expressionism
11 December 2019
In 2018, the Werner Coninx Foundation presented the Bündner Kunstmuseum in Chur with a permanent loan of large parts of his important graphic art collection with almost 1000 works by Cuno Amiet, Giovanni Giacometti, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, Max Beckmann, Hermann Scherer, Johann Robert Schürch and others. The exhibition shows 95 of these works. … Read more » “The dark Sides of Expressionism”
Latest news
A Roman Road without Borders.
11 December 2019
The Roman road Neckar-Alb-Aare (Römerstrasse Neckar-Alb-Aare) connects the most important places of the former Roman province of Germania Superior. The approximately 400 km long road follows the course of the old Via Romana, which connected the Roman legionnaire’s camp Vindonissa (today Windisch in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland) with the settlement Grinario (now Köngen … Read more » “A Roman Road without Borders.”
Nature
The ViaUrschweiz
7 December 2019
In 2018, the cultural hiking trail (Kulturwanderweg) ViaUrschweiz was opened. ViaUrschweiz is a hiking trail between the cantons of Uri and Nidwalden in the heart of Switzerland. It connects Lake Uri with the so-called Waldstätterweg on Lake Lucerne and leads through nature reserves and places of historical significance. The route is part of the regional … Read more » “The ViaUrschweiz”