This section contains an overview of the most relevant monuments in Switzerland.
8 December 2021
The station building in Baden (Canton of Aargau) is the oldest in Switzerland. It was built in 1847. The Spanischbrötlibahn (railway) between Zurich and Baden was the first train connection in Switzerland. This railway was to connect Zurich and Basel. Railway station Baden However, the cantons and private railway companies prevented the realisation of cross-cantonal railways. Only … Read more » “Baden, Spanischbrötlibahn, SBB”
7 December 2021
Dorneck Castle near Dornach (Canton Solothurn) was first mentioned in documents around 1350. The barons of Pfeffingen were probably the builders in the 11th century. The complex later came into the possession of the Counts of Saugener and, from about 1200, of the Counts of Thierstein. The Habsburgs bought the castle in 1384. After the … Read more » “Dorneck Castle”
6 December 2021
The monastery in Dornach (Canton Solothurn) was built between 1674 and 1676. Maria Magdalena von Roll (1604-1672) donated the money for its construction through a bequest in 1672. It was the only Capuchin monastery in the Birseck region, located in the Birs River basin, which spans today’s Birseck and Solothurn cantons. The last monks departed … Read more » “The Dornach Monastery and the Swabian War”
21 November 2021
The Salzhaus (salt storage building) in Brugg (canton of Aargau) closes off the Hofstatt to the south, on a steep slope of the river Limmat. It is the largest square in the old town. On this spot stood the residence of the Habsburgs, who ruled Aargau until 1415. The (eight) Eidgenossen conquered Aargau in 1415, … Read more » “The Salzhaus in Brugg”
19 November 2021
The church in Saas-Grund (canton of Valais) was first recorded in 1297. St. Bartholomew was the church for the four villages (Saas-Fee, Saas-Almagell, Saas-Grund and Saas-Balen) of the Saas valley (Saastal). A new church was built on the old site in 1685 and consecrated on 31 July 1687. On June 1, 1893, Saas-Fee and Saas-Almagell separated … Read more » “The St. Bartholomew Church in Saas-Grund”
19 November 2021
The two central hills in the centre of Basel are a few hundred metres apart. The hill of the Münster has been inhabited and cultivated since Celtic times. The murus gallus and archaeological site near the Münster Cathedral are a reminder. In the fifth century, the bishop relocated to this site when he left the … Read more » “The Petersgasse in Basel”
18 November 2021
Available in Dutch and German
11 November 2021
The Counts of Habsburg built the castle of Alt-Willisau in the 12th century. The castle was destroyed in 1386 during the Sempach war (Sempacherkrieg). Only the Romanesque chapel survived. The chapel was renovated in 1655 in the Baroque style. The chapel is primarily known for its frescoes from 1497 to 1660 and its 12th-century bronze … Read more » “The St. Niklaus Chapel in Willisau”
6 November 2021
Raron (Ragogne in French) is one of the Seven Tithings (Zenden/Zehnden in German, dizains in French) of the Upper Valais. They occupied the Lower-Valais (Unterwallis/Bas-Valais) from 1512-1524 until 1798 (the French invasion) and governed it as an occupied territory or Untertanengebiet (territoire sujet). The Lords of Raron occupied an area extending as far as the … Read more » “Raron, Rilke and UNESCO”
6 November 2021
The fortified church and houses of the canons of the chapter of the Cathedral of Sion (Sitten in German) are behind a wall on the hill of Valère (canton of Valais). The canons lived here until the end of the 18th century. Today, the complex houses the Historical Museum of Valais, a (medieval) garden, a … Read more » “The Basilica minor, The Tourbillon, St. Theodorus Church and the Cathedral of Sion”
