Local history in Switzerland.
4 October 2026
Two small villages near the Farnsburg Castle tell the story of this castle, once called the ‘Queen of Castles’ in this region. Time has passed by, but the links are still clearly visible. Ormalingen The village of Ormalingen has always had close ties to the Farnsburg. The village’s coat of arms commemorates its former inhabitants, … Read more » “The Villages Ormalingen and Buus near the Farnsburg”
11 September 2026
Under preparation. Available in French, German and Dutch
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
