The villages of Göschenen, Wassen and the Tunnels which Connect Europe

24 September 2024

The mountain village of Göschenen and Wassen on the Gotthard Route made history when it constructed the world’s longest railway tunnel. From the 13th century onwards, the mule track on the St. Gotthard developed into one of the most important European Alpine roads, first through the railway and later the motorway. This history began around … Read more » “The villages of Göschenen, Wassen and the Tunnels which Connect Europe”

The Sky is the Limit in Binningen and Franeker

22 September 2024

As is well known, the unit of time is the time it takes for planet Earth to orbit the sun in a year. The moon and stars also play a role in measuring time. In Switzerland, there are 46 observatories, 26 of which are affiliated to the national organisation Schweizerische Astronomische Gesellschaft/Société astronomique suisse. One is the … Read more » “The Sky is the Limit in Binningen and Franeker”

(Deutsch) Perlen, Parfums und die französische und schweizerische Geschichte von Saint-Gingolph

26 August 2024

The organisation ‘The Most Beautiful Swiss Villages’ (Die schönsten Schweizer Dörfer/Les plus beaux villages de Suisse) portrays villages and small towns. These geographical gems are located in Switzerland’s four language regions and Liechtenstein. However, St. Gingolph (kanton Valais), although not registered as a jewel, is the only village where they have made pearls for over … Read more » “(Deutsch) Perlen, Parfums und die französische und schweizerische Geschichte von Saint-Gingolph”

Brigels, Disentis and the Waltensburger Meister

20 August 2024

Available in German

Obwalden, Sarnen and Sachseln, (geographical) centre of Switzerland, in the middle of Europe

27 June 2024

Sarnen is the main town and capital (Hauptort) of the canton of Obwalden. The village lies on the shores of Lake Sarnen (Sarnersee), which in turn is connected to Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee). Together with the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Lucerne, Zug and Nidwalden, Obwalden is part of the so-called Innerschweiz. Together with Nidwalden (under the name Unterwalden), … Read more » “Obwalden, Sarnen and Sachseln, (geographical) centre of Switzerland, in the middle of Europe”

The multicultural Town of Vevey and its great Perfomances

19 June 2024

The Celts and Romans inhabited the region of Vevey (canton of Vaud) more than 2,000 years ago. En Crédeyles, a Celtic burial site near the (medieval) church of St Martin, and the Roman names Vibiscum or Viviscum (in the Tabula Peutingeriana) show their presence. The place lies at the mouth of the rivers Veveyse and … Read more » “The multicultural Town of Vevey and its great Perfomances”

Seelisberg, village of a World Government, International Conferences and the Diet

19 June 2024

Seelisberg (canton of Uri) is an ancient Alemannic village situated on the border with the canton of Nidwalden. Despite its small size, the village enjoyed significant autonomy in the Middle Ages, holding market rights and exercising jurisdiction. Seelisberg, perched at an altitude of over 800 m, 400 metres higher than the Urnersee, which is part … Read more » “Seelisberg, village of a World Government, International Conferences and the Diet”

Echallens, daily bread and religious tolerance

6 June 2024

Grain and bread are familiar staples, and most people consume them daily. However, who knows the Grain and Bread Museum (Musée du blé et du pain) in Echallens (canton Vaud)?  Echallens is located in one of Switzerland’s grain-rich regions (le Grenier de la Suisse) and on the trade routes to Yverdon-les-Bains, Lausanne, Romont, Moudon and … Read more » “Echallens, daily bread and religious tolerance”

The fortunes of Romont and Moudon

5 June 2024

The old town centre of Romont (canton of Fribourg) with its town walls, towers, castle and church (Collégiale) Notre-Dame de l’Assomption (13th century) is situated on the famous round mountain Mont Rond (rotundus mons).   Collégiale Notre-Dame de l’Assomption after its (Gothic) renovation in the 15th century. At the foot of the mountain is the … Read more » “The fortunes of Romont and Moudon”

Bulle and Gruyère

3 June 2024

Gruyère is world-famous for its cheese and its castle, but who outside Switzerland knows the town of Bulle, the capital of the Gruyère district in the canton of Fribourg (Freiburg) since 1848? The first written mention of Butulum dates back to 855. In later centuries, the place was referred to as Bollo, Bullo, and Boll. Heraldry of the county … Read more » “Bulle and Gruyère”