"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

Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah from Basel

Basel hosts one of Europe’s first ethnographic museums. The city also had the first public building that today is called a museum. Not surprisingly, many researchers and art collectors of the old Confederation (Eidgenossenschaft) of 13 cantons were active on five continents. For instance, the most extensive European collection on Afghan literature and culture is … Read more » “Sheikh Ibrahim ibn Abdallah from Basel”

In the spotlight

Rötteln Castle as a Symbol of centuries-old relationships between both Banks of the Rhine

Today, Rötteln is part of Lörrach (Baden-Württemberg), just across the border near Basel. However, the former village of Rötteln, not to be confused with the hamlet of Röttelnweiler a few hundred metres away, was one of this region’s most important political centres until 1503. Rötteln The Margraves of Baden, namesakes of the Markgräflerland, and their … Read more » “Rötteln Castle as a Symbol of centuries-old relationships between both Banks of the Rhine”

Events

The chalet, its history and future

What exactly is a ‘chalet’? Are there features that make the cosy wooden house a chalet? Is it the knitted construction or the wide overhanging roof? Or the geraniums in front of the windows or the roof beams? Or is the ‘chalet’ just a symbol and allusion to a longing for Alpine nature and, therefore, … Read more » “The chalet, its history and future”

Commemorations

The Swimming Pool Weggis – from a Disgrace to the Lido-Hallenbad Weggis

The period after World War I (1914-1918) also saw many changes in Switzerland’s politics, art, and society. For example, the Kurverein of Weggis opened the open-air swimming pool Weggis Lido in 1919. It was the first facility in Switzerland where men and women bathed together on the open beach, i.e., not separated in their strictly … Read more » “The Swimming Pool Weggis – from a Disgrace to the Lido-Hallenbad Weggis”

Monuments

Monastery on St. Peter Island and Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The first monastery on St. Peter Island (St. Peterinsel/île de Saint-Pierre) in Lake Biel (Bielersee/lac de Bienne, Canton Bern) was built in Merovingian times (the 7th and 8th centuries). This benedictine building was later extended with a rectangular choir. The church (built around 1120) on the left was destroyed during the Reformation. On the right … Read more » “Monastery on St. Peter Island and Jean-Jacques Rousseau”

Latest news

Carte Blanche and cooperation along Lake Constance

The Internationale Bodensee-Konferenz (IBK) is a political umbrella and driving force for cross-border cooperation on Lake Constance (Bodensee) The IBK consists of the Conference of Heads of Government and a broad network of experts from the states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria (Germany), Vorarlberg (Austria), the cantons of St Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen, Zurich, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and … Read more » “Carte Blanche and cooperation along Lake Constance”

Agenda

Courbet, Monet, Renoir… Focus provenance

In 1979, the Neuchâtel Museum of Art and History (le Musée d’art et d’histoire de Neuchâtel) received a significant donation from James Adolphe Yvan Amez-Droz (1888-1976).  Yvan Amez-Droz built up a collection of paintings, drawings, prints, books and objets d’art in Paris, where he was based. By donating the modern part of this collection, the … Read more » “Courbet, Monet, Renoir… Focus provenance”

Agenda »

Constitution, Democracy, cantons

A mill symbolises the stability of the canton and the Confederation

1461 Peter Reich von Reichenstein bought Landskron Castle, including a mill on the Mühlbach at Flüh. Today, Landskron Castle is in France, near the village of Leymen (Alsace), just over the border from the canton of Solothurn. At the time, however, Alsace still belonged to the Habsburgs. Flüh consisted of a few farms. The neighbouring … Read more » “A mill symbolises the stability of the canton and the Confederation”

Local history

St. Blasien Abbey, its Dom and the Abbey Trail

St. Blasien Abbey (Baden-Württemberg) in the Naturpark Südschwarzwald and the Albsteig was founded in the 11th century. A document of the Rheinau Abbey near Schaffhausen mentioned around 800 monks in a community at this site in the Alb Valley (Albtal). The Benedictine abbey was dedicated to Saint Blaise (4th century), an Armenian martyr. The Abbey … Read more » “St. Blasien Abbey, its Dom and the Abbey Trail”

Nature and Tourism

Waldenburg, the SAC-Waldweidhütte and Bergwirtschaft Waldweide

Waldenburch was first mentioned in a document in 1244. The name goes back to Walenburg, which means “castle of the Welscher,” the French-speaking people of Switzerland. In the early Middle Ages, the Alsatian monastery of Murbach owned the Waldenburg area. The Lords of Froburg were their successors. After the opening of the Gotthard Pass around … Read more » “Waldenburg, the SAC-Waldweidhütte and Bergwirtschaft Waldweide”