Local history in Switzerland.
17 November 2020
The story of William Tell (Wilhelm Tell) is well known. Whether he existed or not is not relevant. One does not have to take the legends of Romulus and Remus or the Goddess Athena seriously to give them credit for founding Rome and Greece. The story of William Tell is relevant as far as it concerns the … Read more » “William Tell”
16 November 2020
The castle of Neu-Bechburg was built in the 11th and 12th centuries. The castle still defines the skyline of Oensingen. More than a thousand years earlier, during the Roman period, this place served as an important traffic junction. The Great St. Bernhard Pass was of great importance. Emperor Claudius (10 BC – 54 AD) made this … Read more » “The Romans, Alemanni and Swiss-Italians in Oensingen”
14 November 2020
Celts and their predecessors and successors (Romans, Burgunder, Alemanni, Franks) inhabited the Berner Seeland in the Three Lakes Region (Drei-Seenland/Pays des Trois Lacs). The area experienced two Burgundian kingdoms (443-534 and 888-1032), in between the Frankish and Carolingian domination and the rule of local rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. After the French-speaking Counts of … Read more » “Berner Seeland and the Grosse Moos”
5 November 2020
The inhabitants of La Chaux-des-Tallières did not suspect in 1604 that their village would be called La Brévine three centuries later. In 1604, the (Protestant) inhabitants still had to go to Môtiers, Le Locle, or Travers for their church services. Catherine de Gonzague de Nevers (1568-1629), wife of Henri I d’Orléans-Longueville (1568-1591), and the Council … Read more » “La Brévine, Siberia of Switzerland”
22 October 2020
Martina, located on the left bank of the river Inn, is the border town with Austria. The old inn, dating back to 1602, remains a reminder of the historic toll between the Independent Free State of the Three Leagues (Freistaat der Drei Bünde, 1524-1798) and Austria. Martina (Martinsbrück) symbolises the history of this region. The … Read more » “Martina, Vinadi and Austria”
21 October 2020
Anyone entering the village of Tschlin (Canton of Graubünden) will come across the sign “Die schönsten Schweizer Dörfer”, the most beautiful Swiss villages. The village is situated at an altitude of 1,550 in the middle of the terraced landscape of Lower Engadin (Unterengadin) with a view of the river Inn (En in the Romansh language), … Read more » “Tschlin and surroundings”
19 October 2020
The village of Ramosch and the hamlets of Vnà, Zuort, Seraplana, Griosch and Raschvella in Lower Engadin (Unterengadin, canton of Graubünden) are situated amidst centuries-old terraces for arable farming (see also under nature). The area has been inhabited since 4500 BC. The dry climate with the least rain in Switzerland and the fertile soil made … Read more » “The Dutch Conductor Willem Mengelberg in Zuort”
10 October 2020
The history of Murten dates back to Celtic times. The name is derived from the Celtic language. The word Mori-dûnum means fort at the lake. The settlement was part of the Burgundian Kingdom until 1032. The Dukes of Zähringen came into control after the dissolution of this kingdom in 1032. The Dukes granted the town … Read more » “The City of Murten”
20 September 2020
The castles of Colombier and Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel are a reminder of ancient (Roman and medieval) times. The castle of Colombier The medieval castle of Colombier was built on the foundations of a Roman villa dating back to the 1st century AD. The estate of around 500 m2 was situated on the … Read more » “The Castles of Colombier and Boudry”
20 September 2020
Cressier is a village of approximately 1,900 inhabitants located between the lakes of Neuchâtel and Bienne, on the edge of the Thielle canal. This canal connects both lakes. The village does not distinguish itself from its surrounding villages: viticulture is a significant economic activity. The village has a medieval history closely linked to Le Landeron. The … Read more » “Cressier a Catholic enclave”
