Aigle, its Castle, Monastery and Musée de la vigne, du vin et de l’étiquette

9 January 2026

The Chablais is a region located in Switzerland and France, comprising the Swiss Chablais in the cantons of Valais and Vaud, and the French Chablais, situated south of Lake Geneva in the northern part of Haute-Savoie. Aigle (Aiglon) first appeared in a document around 1140. This document refers to the Priory of St. Maurice of … Read more » “Aigle, its Castle, Monastery and Musée de la vigne, du vin et de l’étiquette”

Via Engadina and Via imperiale from Casaccia nach Vinadi

18 November 2025

The Via Engiadina is a hiking tour from Casaccia (Bergell) in Upper Engadin (Oberengadin), on the Italian border, to Vinadi in Lower Engadin (Unterengadin), on the Austrian border. The Bergell (Val Bregaglia) borders the Veltlin (Valtellina), which was a subject area for more than 250 years (1512-1798), a so-called Untertanengebiet of the Free State of … Read more » “Via Engadina and Via imperiale from Casaccia nach Vinadi”

The Wenkenhof and the English Park in Riehen

2 September 2025

Wenkenhof first appears in the early Middle Ages, referring to an estate located on the hillside above the Wiesental. As early as 751, a document mentions the Wenken as the property of Ebo, a count of an Alemannic tribe. The estate belonged successively to the abbey of St. Gallen (c. 800-ca. 1100) and the monastery … Read more » “The Wenkenhof and the English Park in Riehen”

Schiers, Habsburg, Zehngerichtebund, and the Salginatobel Bridge

1 September 2025

Schiers (canton of Graubünden) is first mentioned in a document from 1122 under the name Assiere, a Germanized version of the Romansh name Aschera. Aschera is still the name for Schiers in the Romansh-speaking part of the canton (Aschera means Maple). The Romansh language gradually disappeared, partly due to the immigration of German-speaking Walser, who … Read more » “Schiers, Habsburg, Zehngerichtebund, and the Salginatobel Bridge”

Lütisburg, the Thur, the Necker and the Church of Wila

29 August 2025

Lütisburg (canton of St. Gallen) is first mentioned in a document from 1214. The name goes back to the castle that Liuto, a scion of the Toggenburg count family, had built directly above the Thur bridge. The barons of Raron sold Lütisburg in 1468 to the abbot and the monastery of St. Gallen. In the … Read more » “Lütisburg, the Thur, the Necker and the Church of Wila”

The Village and Propstei of St. Peterzell

29 August 2025

The village of St. Peterzell and the Propstei (provostry) of St. Peterzell (canton of St. Gallen) are located on the river Necker. The village owes its name to the provostry. Around 1050, the St. Peterzell Monastery was founded. The nobles of Illnau (in the Canton of Zurich) established it in honour of the Apostle Peter. As … Read more » “The Village and Propstei of St. Peterzell”

Kyburg Castle and Village

28 August 2025

The Kyburg is first mentioned in a document from 1027. The original name was “Chuigeburg” (Kuhburg (Cow Castle). The Count of Kyburg expanded the castle around 1200. The beautiful chapel, parts of the large tower, and some outer walls still stand today. The 12th-century wall The Kyburg family, alongside the Habsburgs and the Savoyards, was … Read more » “Kyburg Castle and Village”

The Mills of St. Luc and Switzerland’s Industrial Past

1 July 2025

The industrial revolution, commercial networks, the textile industry, financial services, watchmaking, machine construction, the food sector, publishing and printing companies, and other sectors have characterised Switzerland for centuries. Even in today’s small villages, there is sometimes a small industrial park. An example is St. Luc (canton of Valais). St. Luc is located at an altitude … Read more » “The Mills of St. Luc and Switzerland’s Industrial Past”

The Remarkable Capuchin Monastery in Sion

17 June 2025

According to a recent United Nations report, Switzerland remains one of the most innovative economies globally. However, this also applies to (religious) architecture and design. Several museums, including the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich, and Platforme 10 in Lausanne, are just a few examples. In the church … Read more » “The Remarkable Capuchin Monastery in Sion”

Ins, Albert Anker, Monuments and Climate Change

11 May 2025

Ins (Anet in French, canton of Bern, Three-Lakes-Region/Seeland) is the village of the (birth) house, studio, and museum of the painter Albert-Anker (1831-1910). The medieval village was an important regional centre with more inhabitants than the town of Erlach (Cerlier in French). Erlach was the seat of the governors (Landvogt) of Bern after the conquest … Read more » “Ins, Albert Anker, Monuments and Climate Change”