Author: Maarten Koning

Zuoz, the Chesa Poult and the Planta family

Engadine was ruled by the Ostrogoths in the 500s. In 539, the Franks took over and held on for centuries to come.

The first mention of Zuoz dates back to 843. The name Zuoz is probably related to the Romansh word “suot” (under). The Bishop of Chur possessed numerous rights and estates in the Upper Engadin from the eleventh century onwards. Zuoz was the centre of his dominion in his region.

The Chesa (house in Romansh) Poult in Zuoz

The Plantas were the most powerful and leading family. The Bishop of Chur had granted Andreas Planta the chancellorship in 1244. The San Luzi is mentioned in documents in 1139 as one of the leading churches in the Upper Engadine. The colossal tower in the village was the residence of the Plantas.

(Source: Gesellschaft für Schweizerische Kunstgeschichte, Kunstführer durch die Schweiz, Band 2, Bern 2005).

The Frey-Grynaeus Institute and its historical Library

In 1747, in memory of his friend and colleague Johannes Grynaeus (1705-1744), Johann Frey (1684-1759) founded the organisation for the study and promotion of theology and related sciences (das Frey- Grynäische Institut zur Förderung von Theologie und benachbarter Wissenschaften).

The collection comprises thousands of books and manuscripts spanning from the 15th century, when printing began, to the 19th century.

The focus is on theology, oriental studies and English studies. Numerous books were printed in Basel and bear witness to the great history of printing in this city. (See also the museum die Basler Papiermühle, www.papiermuseum.ch).

The library has been preserved and excellently documented, while other libraries were integrated into large institutions in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The library is a unique testimony to the history of science in the 18th century.

(Source: www.freygrynaeum.unibas.ch).

The Spalentor in Basel

The tower (Spalentor) was built in 1398 on the third extension of the city. It was reinforced with a front gate due to conflicts with Burgundy during the Burgundian Wars (1474-1477).

The three console figures, a Madonna and two prophets, date from approximately 1400 to 1420. It is one of the three city gates that still exist today. The other city gates are St. Alban’s Gate and St. John’s Gate.

Pfyn-Finges Regional Park

Twelve municipalities in the region between Sierre and Gampel (canton of Valais) form the Pfyn-Finges Regional Park. The Rhone flows through the valley and the park, but the area remains exceptionally dry.

Avalanches, landslides, fires and dryness created a special landscape. The flora and fauna (pines, Mediterranean (small) mammals, birds and insects) also point to this. The area is one of the most extensive coherent pine forests in the country. Furthermore, the park is an ideal area for walking and cycling due to its slight height difference.

(Source: www.pfyn-finges.ch).

Metzerlen-Mariastein

The Celtic people of Rauraci lived in this area after 800 BC. They joined the great exodus of the Helvetii in 58 BC (defeated by Caesar that year at Bibracte, near Autun).

After the establishment of the Roman Colonia Augusta Raurica (Kaiseraugst), 44 B.C., the area was also inhabited by Romans. Between the 5th and 6th centuries, the Alemanni immigrated to this region. The first documented mention of “Metzerlon” dates back to 1194. The Mariastein monastery was built between 1636 and 1655 and consecrated in 1655.

(Source: www.metzerlen.ch).

The Walser and the Calfeisen Valley

More than 700 years ago, the Walser from Upper Valais migrated from Goms to the Calfeisental. The origins of the Walser and the reasons for their emigration are still unclear, possibly due to overpopulation. In any case, the architecture and culture still bear witness to this heritage.

The Calfeisental is also called the least-known valley of Switzerland. If it is known at all, it is mainly because of the avalanches of 350 years ago. Today, it is falling rocks and landslides that attract attention.

The valley has a lot to offer. Not only the village of St. Martin, the church dedicated to St. Martin is called Chirchli, but also the reservoir and the many pearls of Walser architecture and culture.

(Source: www.graubuenden.ch).

Accademia di Architettura in Mendrisio 25 years

The Accademia di Architettura, the Academy of Architecture, was founded in 1996 in Mendrisio, Canton of Ticino.

One of its founders was the architect Mario Botta (born in 1947). The starting point was to create an interdisciplinary centre of expertise with architecture at its core.

The Academy accommodates various disciplines, such as biology, philosophy, genetics, and (applied) arts, as well as a new synthesis of technical knowledge, human sciences, social sciences, practical skills, and critical and historical thinking.

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Academy in Mendrisio will be celebrated with a series of events held both at and around the Academy. The Academy is internationally renowned and hosts 800 students from 40 countries.

(Source and further information: www.arc.usi.ch).

The Carthusian Monastery of Basel

The monastery was officially incorporated into the Carthusian order in 1407. Construction of the church and other monastic buildings began in 1408.

The Basel Council (1431-1449) was a (cultural) heyday for the order and other Basel monasteries. Numerous council participants and other visitors made their presence felt with donations. Subsequently, large donations were made towards the construction and furnishing of the monastery and church.

Among the donors were cardinals, archbishops, abbots and noblemen. One of the donors was Duchess Isabella of Burgundy, wife of Duke Philip the Good and mother of Charles the Bold.

In 1536, during the Reformation, the city prohibited the election of a new prior. The last Carthusian monk died in 1564. Since the town had renounced involuntary removal, it could not dispose of the monastery buildings until 1564.

The Charterhouse, established in 1408, was a late entrant. The great century of monastic foundations in Basel was the 13th century. However, the monastery complex is better preserved than the other nine monasteries.

Its current appearance is characterised by the renovation work carried out in 1990. The Charterhouse is now run as a social and educational institution in unbroken continuity with the old municipal orphanage.

(Source: F. Ackermann, Th. Wollmann, Klöster in Basel. Basel, 2009).