Nature in Switzerland.
28 August 2026
For centuries, mountains were a ‘no go area’ for townspeople or villagers. Only cattle farmers and traders climbed mountains to pasture their cattle in the summer or transport cattle, their meat and milk products. Jan Haeckert (1628-1690), around 1670. Collection: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. Nobody thought of climbing a mountain for pleasure. Although the Dutch and Flemish … Read more » “The Alps and the Poet Von Haller”
18 August 2026
Equus asinus (donkey), Bos taurus (cow), Numida meleagris (guinea fowl), capra hircus (goat), columba domestica (pigeon), pavo cristatus (peacock), sus domesticus (pig), gallus gallus (hen), anser domesticus (goose), anas domesticus (duck) or columba domestica (pigeon) are just some of the animals found in the Roman archaeo-zoology (Archäozoologie) in Augusta Raurica in Augst (Canton of Basel-Landschaft). … Read more » “Roman archaeo-zoology in Augusta Raurica”
31 July 2026
The canton of Graubünden is home to the Swiss National Park (Schweizer Nationalpark/parc national suisse), four regional nature parks (Parc Ela, the Beverin Nature Park, Parco Val Calanca, and Biosfera Val Müstair), and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tectonic Arena Sardona. The Swiss National Park, the Biosphere Reserve Val Müstair, and parts of the municipality of Scuol form the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Engiadina Val … Read more » “The Swiss National Park”
22 May 2026
It is only a few kilometres from Elgg Castle to the thousand-year-old Hauenstein Castle on the summit of the Hauenberg. What both castles have in common is that they can no longer be seen in their original form. Elgg Elgg Castle, Kyburg Castle and the Hauenstein ruins Elgg Castle, however, is still inhabited, whereas Hauenstein … Read more » “Elgg Castle, the Hauenstein Ruins and the Guhwilmühle”
28 April 2026
The Ryburg salt mines are now part of Schweizer Salinen AG, a consortium comprising three mines in Bex, Pratteln and Ryburg. Ryburg is part of the municipality of Möhlin (Canton of Aargau), just a few kilometres from Rheinfelden. This site on the Rhine was already inhabited in Roman times. This is hardly surprising given its … Read more » “The Celts, Romans, Storchs and nature of Möhlin”
12 April 2026
The history of the Taubenloch Gorge (Taubenlochschlucht) as a north-south link and gateway to the Jura dates back to Roman times. The main route from Marseille via Lake Geneva to the Rhine formed one way, whilst a second ran from Bern (Engehalbinsel) deep into the Jura. The Roman Era The two routes crossed at the … Read more » “The Taubenloch Gorge, Petinesca, the Prince-Bishopric of Basel and Bern”
10 March 2026
In the Middle Ages, the forest was a place of danger and mystery. Nobody went for a walk for pleasure. Today, on the other hand, the forest is a refuge for rest, fresh air and the experience of pure nature. The quality of life in the city is closely related to its size, particularly in … Read more » “Nature and Trees in Basel”
9 March 2026
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6 December 2025
From Lake Les Brenets (Swiss name; Lake Chaillexon is the French name), the River Doubs forms the border between France and Switzerland, passing through the beautiful medieval town of Saint-Ursanne (canton of Jura). This river is already a story in itself. Its name derives from the Latin dubius, “doubter”. With good reason, because from its source in … Read more » “Nature Park Doubs, St. Ursanne, Soubey’s Mill and the river Doubs”
26 November 2025
The Romans came, saw, conquered, and then left the territory of present-day Switzerland, but they left behind a lasting presence. They founded the first Roman colonies (Colonia Iulia Equestris (Nyon), Colonia Augusta Rauracorum (Augst and Kaiseraugst), Colonia Pia Flavia Constans Emerita Helvetiorum Foederata, known as Aventicum (Avenches), and Forum Claudii Vallensium (Martigny). Moreover, the Roman … Read more » “The Swiss History of Wahlen”
