This section contains an overview of the most relevant monuments in Switzerland.
9 September 2021
The provost (Propsteikirche) in Wagenhausen (Thurgau Canton) is a former monastery on the banks of the Rhine, founded by Tuoto of Wagenhausen in 1083. The church is a three-aisled Romanesque basilica in the Lombard style. The northern side aisle was demolished around 1600. The frescoes on the triumphal arch date back to the 13th century. … Read more » “Provostry of Wagenhausen”
8 September 2021
The wooden bridge connects the German town of Bad Säckingen (Baden-Württemberg) with the municipality of Stein in the Fricktal (canton of Aargau). It is the longest covered wooden bridge in Europe, spanning 204 meters. The wooden bridge was first mentioned in the annals of Colmar in 1272 and consisted of twelve wooden pillars. The wooden … Read more » “The longest covered wooden bridge in Europe”
8 September 2021
Around the middle of the 12th century, the Truchsessen of Ittingen turned their castle into an Augustinian monastery. In 1461, the impoverished Augustinian canons sold their monastery to the Carthusian order. The building was in a state of disrepair and underwent substantial renovation. Furthermore, they added a large cloister with cells for hermits. In the … Read more » “The Kartause Ittingen, Yesterday and Today”
7 September 2021
The town hall in Stein am Rhein (canton of Schaffhausen) was built in 1539-1542, and the half-timbered construction was added in 1745. It also served as a grain and department store for a long time. It took on its present form in 1899 when the market hall was closed, and the bay window and paintings … Read more » “Town Hall Stein am Rhein”
7 September 2021
Disponible en allemand et néerlandais.
7 September 2021
One of the Lake Constance region’s cultural and historical treasures is in Stein am Rhein (Schaffhausen Canton). The (former) Benedictine monastery of St. George was founded in 1002-1007 and is excellently preserved. That year, Emperor Henry II (973-1024) moved the abbey from Singen to its present location, where the Rhine exits Lake Constance. Having acquired … Read more » “Saint George’s Abbey in Stein am Rhein”
2 September 2021
The seigneury, la châtellenie Thielle (canton Neuchâtel), also known as Zihl in German, was established around the middle of the 14th century, encompassing legal, military, and administrative functions within the county of Neuchâtel. The la châtellenie ruled over La Coudre, Hauterive, Saint-Blaise, Voëns, Le Maley, Le Vilaret, Cornaux, Thielle, Marin, Epagnier, and their respective hamlets. … Read more » “Château de Thielle”
31 August 2021
Sargans Castle was built around 1100 by the Counts of Werdenberg-Sargans. The castle gradually expanded to its present shape. The Counts of Montfort inhabited the castle from the 13th to the 15th century. The last Count sold the county and castle to the Swiss Confederation in 1483. The French invasion in 1798 ended the submission … Read more » “Sargans Castle”
27 August 2021
Villages and houses in the Engadine (Canton of Graubünden) can be recognised by the decorations on the house fronts. The old technique is called Sgraffito (graffiti). Instead of painting with a brush, the decoration is done by scratching into the white lime plaster. After being applied to the wall, this lime remains wet for about … Read more » “Sgraffito”
13 August 2021
Switzerland is not in the top ten for Art Nouveau or Jugendstil architecture. The style was introduced in the years leading up to 1900 in the larger cities, especially in the Grand Hotels of the Belle Époque. The hotel and sanatorium architecture of this period was the first to incorporate Art Nouveau. The enormous growth … Read more » “Art Nouveau in Switzerland”
