This section contains an overview of the most relevant monuments in Switzerland.
11 October 2020
The chapel of the Holy Family (La Sainte-Famille) in St. Gingolph (canton of Valais) was built in 1677. It was the chapel of the castle (1588). It replaced the old chapel. The decoration and the arcades recall the Baroque era. St. Gingolph was ruled by the Republic of the Seven Tithings. This Republique existed from 1628 … Read more » “The Chapel of St. Gingolph”
10 October 2020
After years of renovation, the Cathedral Treasury Museum in Chur (Domschatzmuseum Chur) is scheduled to open in August 2020. The works of art come from the St. Luzi cathedral and monastery church. They illustrate 1600 years of the cultural history of the diocese of Chur, from its foundation in the 4th century. The presentation of … Read more » “Dance of Death in Chur”
8 October 2020
The castle of Zug still dominates the skyline. The castle is the former residence of the Counts of Lenzburg, Kyburg and Habsburg. The first foundations of the castle date back to the eleventh and twelfth centuries, specifically a motte. The castle was destroyed in 1352 by the Swiss Confederates, but it was soon rebuilt and … Read more » “The Astronomical Clock of Zug”
3 October 2020
Geneva is next to New York the most important center for International organizations. The city houses the European headquarters of the United Nations and around 250 international NGOs. A remarkable new appearance is the House of Peace, Maison de la Paix. The building houses the Graduate Institute of International Development and Studies, the Geneva Centre for … Read more » “House of Peace Geneva”
29 September 2020
The Federal Palace (Bundeshaus), the seat of the Swiss Parliament and government, is one of the most important monuments in Switzerland. The building consists of three parts: the West Wing, the Central Building and the East Wing. Work on the West Wing began in 1852 (after the foundation of the Confederation in 1848). The parliament … Read more » “The Federal Palace in Bern”
21 September 2020
The small church of Saint Théodule (1342) is situated near the village of Cudrefin (canton of Vaud). The church adopted the Protestant faith around 1530. The Reformed congregation of Vully-Avenches currently owns the church. (Source and further information: www.cudrefin.ch).
18 September 2020
Jacob Vallier (1555-1623) was born in Cressier in the county of Neuchâtel. The French (royal) d’Orléans-Longueville dynasty ruled the county. He served as a captain in the French army, like so many Swiss men. He also worked at the French Embassy in Solothurn. King Henri IV (1553-1610) granted him (French) titles of nobility and the … Read more » “The Castle of Cressier”
11 September 2020
The church (le Temple) in St. Blaise (canton Neuchâtel) was built on the site of a church from Carolingian times. Some features are romanesque (the tower), gothic (the vault) and neo-gothic (the stained glass windows by Edmond Bille (1878-1959). The church adopted the Protestant faith in 1530.
10 September 2020
The town of Büren an der Aare (canton of Bern) has a medieval town centre. The river and the road have always been of great importance for trade, markets, shipbuilding and warehouses for salt, iron, wool, cattle, and agricultural products. Late medieval/early modern buildings are still visible. The Castle (sixteenth century) is a national heritage … Read more » “Büren an der Aare”
10 September 2020
There was only one river crossing between Bern and Büren an der Aare in the twelfth century: in Aarberg. The Count of Neuchâtel built a castle near this bridge around 1140. The city was founded afterwards, in 1220. Town Hall (Amtshaus) The new bridge was built in 1568. The Aare was diverted during the first … Read more » “The Bridge of Aarberg”
