Schöntal Monastery, the Tüfelsschlucht and the Furnaces in the Dürsteltal

22 May 2026

Love and hate, good and evil, the devil and the angel, the canton of Basel-Landschaft and the canton of Solothurn sometimes merge seamlessly. This is also true of the former Schöntal Monastery near Langenbruck (canton of Basel-Landschaft) and, a few kilometres further on, the Tüfelsschlucht (Devil’s Gorge) in the canton of Solothurn. The Tüfelsschlucht near … Read more » “Schöntal Monastery, the Tüfelsschlucht and the Furnaces in the Dürsteltal”

Estavayer-le-Lac through the ages

13 May 2026

Estavayer-le-Lac emerged as a town in the 12th century as the residence of the Lords of Estavayer. The town is situated on Lake Neuchâtel, and this site was already inhabited during the Stone and Bronze Ages. Pile-dwelling houses dating to the 9th century BC were also uncovered after the water level was lowered between 1868 … Read more » “Estavayer-le-Lac through the ages”

Yverdon-les-Bains: from menhirs to spa town

12 May 2026

Yverdon-les-Bains (canton of Vaud) lies at the crossroads of country roads running east to west and north to south, and along waterways across Lake Neuchâtel and the River Thielle/Zihl. Menhirs The largest menhir and the largest menhir cluster in Switzerland are found in this region. They date back to the fourth millennium BC. The cluster … Read more » “Yverdon-les-Bains: from menhirs to spa town”

Magden, Maisprach, Olsberg, Giebenach and Toblerones write History

10 May 2026

Small villages often write history in Switzerland. Not far from Rheinfelden (Canton of Aargau) are the villages of Magden (Canton of Aargau), Olsberg (Canton of Basel-Landschaft and Canton of Aargau) and Maisprach and Giebenach (Canton of Basel-Landschaft). Magden Magden The first mention of Magden dates from 804 in a charter of St Gallen Abbey. The … Read more » “Magden, Maisprach, Olsberg, Giebenach and Toblerones write History”

Nidau Castle and the Jura Water Regulations

19 April 2026

The Count of Neuenburg zu Nidau built the moated castle around 1140; it was first mentioned in documents in 1196. In the Middle Ages, the water level of Lake Biel was 2 metres higher, and the castle stood directly on the lake’s shore. The castle rose up into the sky as an imposing and difficult-to-conquer fortress. … Read more » “Nidau Castle and the Jura Water Regulations”

The Monasteries of Basel

12 March 2026

Almost 500 years ago, between 1525 and 1529, the ten monasteries in Basel ceased to exist. The city became the new owner. The bishop, too, left the town and went to Porrentruy. The Reformation reached Basel, marking the end of 450 years of history. The first monastery, St. Alban, was founded in 1083. The second … Read more » “The Monasteries of Basel”

Basel, the Basilisk, the Wettsteinbrücke and its Guardians

15 February 2026

Basel is the city of the Basilisk and around 250 springs. The Basilisk is a mythological creature from ancient Greece, half-cock, half-snake, who, according to legend, also found a home in Basel. This creature could kill with its gaze. The only protection was to hold up a mirror so that it fell dead on the … Read more » “Basel, the Basilisk, the Wettsteinbrücke and its Guardians”

Baden or Aquae Helveticae forever

31 January 2026

Baden was known as Aquae Helveticae in Roman times. The settlement was already a spa town. Around 850, a Carolingian church was built on the site of today’s Catholic church. Baden and bathing in Roman times. Historisches Museum Baden The Counts of Nellenburg built Stein Castle in the 11th century. They were succeeded by the … Read more » “Baden or Aquae Helveticae forever”

The many names and celebrities of Villeneuve on Lake Geneva

22 January 2026

The Many Names and Famous Figures of Villeneuve on the Shores of Lake Geneva The town of Villeneuve (Canton of Vaud) has borne various names throughout its long history, dating back to Celtic and Roman times. However, the area was already inhabited after the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. Its location on the … Read more » “The many names and celebrities of Villeneuve on Lake Geneva”

Montreux Riviera, Artists, Nature and Smoke on the Water

11 January 2026

More than two centuries before the ‘famous’ fire in the Casino of Montreux on 4 December 1971, Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) wrote his Nouvelle Héloïse in 1761. Lord Byron (1788-1824) wrote his Prisonnier de Chillon in 1816. Both works significantly influenced the reputation of the village of Montreux (canton of Vaud) among the European beau monde. … Read more » “Montreux Riviera, Artists, Nature and Smoke on the Water”