"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

Introduction

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”

In the spotlight

The Trinational Mont Blanc Massif

The Mont Blanc massif constitutes a monument at the heart of Europe whose symbolic force is due to its size and the variety of its landscapes. The biodiversity and the natural richness of the surrounding territories reinforce that image. The Espace Mont-Blanc covers territories belonging to Savoie and Haute-Savoie in France, the Autonomous Region of … Read more » “The Trinational Mont Blanc Massif”

Events

The Etruscans and Greeks are back in Basel

The Antikenmuseum Basel and Sammlung Ludwig has a collection of Greek ceramics known far beyond its borders for its quality and diversity. With the reopening on 14 and 15 September, three new permanent exhibitions will be presented in a new scenography and two new audio tours that show the collection’s richness in a varied and … Read more » “The Etruscans and Greeks are back in Basel”

Commemorations

The Three Leagues and the Canton of Graubünden 1524-2024

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”

Monuments

The Waltensburg Church and Gothic in Canton Graubünden

The church in Waltensburg, or Vuorz in Romansh (Canton Graubünden), was built in the 12th century—the frescoes on the interior and exterior walls date from four periods. The oldest paintings (ca. 1330) were made by an artist known as the Waltensburger Master. He decorated churches and at least one secular building (Brandis castle in Maienfeld) … Read more » “The Waltensburg Church and Gothic in Canton Graubünden”

Latest news

I have a dream in Riom, Tarasp and Mulegns

The Schweizerhof (closed) and the Waldhaus(burnt down) in Vulpera, the Kurhotel and Trinkhalle (closed) in Nairs, and the Hotel Tarasp (closed) in Tarasp were once the pride of the Lower Engadine (canton of Graubünden). These grand hotels enjoyed their heyday in the Belle Epoque until the First World War (1914-1918) and the Second World War … Read more » “I have a dream in Riom, Tarasp and Mulegns”

Agenda

The Industrialisation of Switzerland, Canton Glarus and the Textile Industry

The museum presents a new section of its permanent exhibition on ‘The textile industry in the Canton of Glarus’ (Glarner Textildruck). This section tells the more than 250-year history of this vital industry. Visitors get to know this cultural heritage and the enormous power of innovation that characterised the Glarus region (and Switzerland) early on, … Read more » “The Industrialisation of Switzerland, Canton Glarus and the Textile Industry”

Agenda »

Constitution, Democracy, cantons

Buochs, democracy and the Netherlands

What do the small villages of Buochs (Canton Nidwalden), democracy, and the Netherlands have in common? Not much at first glance. But appearances can be deceptive. Not only were Louis Wyrsch or Borneo Louis (1793-1858) and his son Alois (Louis) Wyrsch (1825-1888) employed in the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies for many years, but the … Read more » “Buochs, democracy and the Netherlands”

Local history

(Deutsch) Perlen, Parfums und die französische und schweizerische Geschichte von Saint-Gingolph

The organisation ‘The Most Beautiful Swiss Villages’ (Die schönsten Schweizer Dörfer/Les plus beaux villages de Suisse) portrays villages and small towns. These geographical gems are located in Switzerland’s four language regions and Liechtenstein. However, St. Gingolph (kanton Valais), although not registered as a jewel, is the only village where they have made pearls for over … Read more » “(Deutsch) Perlen, Parfums und die französische und schweizerische Geschichte von Saint-Gingolph”

Nature and Tourism

A Small History of the Litte and Great St Bernard Passes, their Hospices and Bernadiner Dogs

Napoleon’s (1769-1821) famous march over the Great St Bernard (2469 metres) in 1800 went in a different direction from that of emperor Claudius (10 BC-54 AD) in 43 AD. Claudius marched south to north toward Britannia, and Napoleon marched north to south towards Habsburg Italy and its allies. In both cases, Martigny (Forum Claudii Vallensium, … Read more » “A Small History of the Litte and Great St Bernard Passes, their Hospices and Bernadiner Dogs”