Colonia Iulia Equestris or Nyon, the oldest town of Switzerland

19 May 2024

Julius Caesar’s last political decision was to establish Colonia Iulia Equestris, today’s Nyon (canton of Vaud), in 45 BC. This Roman general had defeated the Celts at Bibracte, near present-day Autun in France, in 58 BC.  Several Celtic tribes, including the Rauraken and Helvetic tribes, moved towards Burgundy that year to settle far away from … Read more » “Colonia Iulia Equestris or Nyon, the oldest town of Switzerland”

Samnaun, its customs and Vallader free zone and Wintersport

6 May 2024

The border town of Samnaun (canton of Graubünden) has a special status. This history dates back to the eleventh century. The village was first mentioned in a charter of the Lord of Tarasp in 1089. Farmers from the villages of Ramosch and Vna in the Lower Engadin (Unterengadin) populated the valley of Saumnaun. The fertile climate … Read more » “Samnaun, its customs and Vallader free zone and Wintersport”

Praz and the Celts, a small village with a great History

3 May 2024

The small village Praz (commune de Mont-Vully) is situated near the ancient Celtic settlement (oppidum) on Mont-Vully (canton of Freiburg) at Lake Morat (Murtensee or lac de Morat). This small village shares in the eventful history of the Romandie or French-speaking Switzerland. The Celtic settlement of Mont-Vully is one of the remains of the tribe … Read more » “Praz and the Celts, a small village with a great History”

Vullierens, its Church and Abbey

1 May 2024

Vullierens (canton of Vaud) was already inhabited in Roman times. In the Middle Ages, it fell under the Barony of Cossonay. Bern conquered the Pays du Vaud (roughly the area of today’s canton) from the Duchy of Savoie in 1536. From then on, the village fell under the jurisdiction of Morges and Bern. Bailiffs governed … Read more » “Vullierens, its Church and Abbey”

The City of Fribourg, its Bridges, Abbeys, Cathedral, Churches, Museums, Port and Nature

30 April 2024

Fribourg or Freiburg, la Sarine or die Saane, French- or German-speaking, the city is (or was) loyal to the Catholic faith during and after the Reformation in the first half of the 16th century. However, the diversity of monastic orders and abbeys is (or was) all the more significant. La Sarine or die Saane, the … Read more » “The City of Fribourg, its Bridges, Abbeys, Cathedral, Churches, Museums, Port and Nature”

Gampelen and Champion in the Grosse Moos

21 April 2024

The hamlet at the present-day location of Gampelen (canton of Bern, Champigny in French) was significant in Roman times (13 BC—410 AD) due to the road from Aventicum (today’s Avenches) to Petinesca (today’s Studen). A route led via Gampelen to the Zihlbrücke over the river Zihl (Thielle in French). Within a few generations, the Celtic … Read more » “Gampelen and Champion in the Grosse Moos”

A Roman Mausoleum and a Romanesque Church with Gothic fresco’s in Biel

9 April 2024

Biel (canton of Bern) is home to one of the region’s oldest monuments. The history of St. Stephan’s church in the Mett district dates back to the 4th century AD. A Roman mausoleum served as a final resting place for members of the (military) elite. A large glass goblet features an image of Dionysius and … Read more » “A Roman Mausoleum and a Romanesque Church with Gothic fresco’s in Biel”

Sissach and its Dynasties and Castles

20 March 2024

Sissach (canton Basel-Landschaft) on the Diegterbach is a village with a Celtic and Roman past. The oldest church in Sissach was built around 620, during the period of Merovingian rule. These Christian Franks were the successors of the pagan Alemanni. The Diegterbach Graves from this era have also been found. After the Merovingians came successively, … Read more » “Sissach and its Dynasties and Castles”

Aarau, or the emergence of a capital

7 March 2024

The city of Aarau (Canton of Aargau) takes its name from the river Aare, the largest tributary of the Rhine. A few kilometres away, the Aare flows into the Rhine at the Swiss town of Koblenz, continuing its journey to Rotterdam. The Aare and the hydropower plant near Aarau Aarau is not just any town; it … Read more » “Aarau, or the emergence of a capital”

A short History of Gelterkinden

17 February 2024

Gelterich, today’s village of Gelterkinden (canton of Basel-Landschaft), was first mentioned in a document in 1103. The Alemannic name means Hof des Geltrich or Sippe der Geltrichingen; ‘ingen’ is a name from the Alemannic period. The Tiersteiner on Farnsburg administered the village. The monastery of St. Alban, St. Leonhard, the cathedral chapter, and various secular … Read more » “A short History of Gelterkinden”