This section contains an overview of the most relevant monuments in Switzerland.
16 September 2021
The choir vault of the cathedral (Münster) in Bern dates back to 1517. The names of the master craftsman Peter Pfister and the Bernese reformer Niklaus Manuel are immortalised in the stone. Eighty-five larger-than-life figures of saints adorn the keystones of the marvellous vaulting, with which the three-aisle end, the two narrow adjoining bays and … Read more » “The Choir Vault of the Berner Cathedral”
16 September 2021
Hardly any other town in Switzerland shows at a glance the three powers that defined the Middle Ages for a thousand years: the church, or those who prayed (since 1007, the monastery of St. Georgen), the nobility, the fighters (the castle of Hohenklingen) and the third class, the burghers and farmers, those who worked. The … Read more » “Hohenklingen Castle”
15 September 2021
Since prehistoric times, the Rhine has dug its bed through Laufenburg (Canton of Aargau). A gorge 12 m wide at its narrowest point and over a kilometre long came into being. It was called Kleiner Laufen (Little Laufen), unlike the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen, which is Grosser Laufen (Big Laufen). During the construction of the … Read more » “Laufenburg and Habsburg”
14 September 2021
The monastery of Reichenau built the first church in Ermatingen (then Erfmoutinga) around 750. The tower foundations and the St. Catherine Chapel date back to c. 1300. In 1490, the tower was completed, and at the same time, the choir, the nave and the sacristy were built. The beams of the roof are dated around … Read more » “Church of Ermatingen”
13 September 2021
Available in German and Dutch.
13 September 2021
Heinrich Truchsess von Diessenhofen is mentioned as the first owner of the Unterhof in Diessenhofen (Canton Schaffhausen). The tower had already been built in 1186. In the 15th century, the owners were forced to pledge the castle to the city. In 1460, the burghers redeemed the pledge and became the owners. In 1474, Knight Johannes … Read more » “Unterhof Castle in Diesenhofen”
13 September 2021
Since 1370, the dean and the cathedral chapter of Constance had civil rights in Diessenhofen. In 1516, the cathedral chapter decided to build a new residence near the barn on the Rhine. In 1518, the city approved the construction of a new circular wall on the Rhine and agreed to a large gate through the … Read more » “Amtshaus Diessenhofen”
10 September 2021
In the Middle Ages, several houses were located on the Arenenberg estate. The castle complex, dating from the 16th to the 19th century, is largely intact. The most significant loss is the theatre, built in 1817, which was later demolished. Anton Prosper von Streng (1694-1781) possessed Arenenberg Castle in the 18th century. His grandson, Johann … Read more » “Arenenberg Castle, Hortense and the first king of the Netherlands”
10 September 2021
One of the smallest towns and communities in Switzerland owes its origins to Bishop Eberhard II of Constance. Gottlieben (Thurgau Canton) lies on the Seerhein, the short waterway between Lake Constance and Lower Lake. He built a moated castle in 1251 because of conflicts with the citizens of Constance and to divert trade to Gottlieben. … Read more » “Gottlieben”
9 September 2021
The Seeburg Castle was built in 1598. Swedish troops set it on fire in 1633 during the Thirty Years’ War. The Kreuzlingen monastery rebuilt the castle before it was transferred to the canton of Thurgau following the abolition of the monastery in 1848. In 1870, the castle was rebuilt to its present appearance. Since 1958, … Read more » “Seeburg Castle Kreuzlingen”
