Waldenburg, the SAC-Waldweidhütte and Bergwirtschaft Waldweide

29 November 2024

Waldenburch was first mentioned in a document in 1244. The name originates from Walenburg, which translates to “castle of the Welscher,” referring to the French-speaking people of Switzerland. In the early Middle Ages, the Alsatian monastery of Murbach owned the Waldenburg area. The Lords of Froburg were their successors. After the opening of the Gotthard … Read more » “Waldenburg, the SAC-Waldweidhütte and Bergwirtschaft Waldweide”

Le Landeron and its environment

24 November 2024

Before Le Landeron was founded, another town, Nugerol, was established by the Count of Neuchâtel to defend his county against the nearby bishopric of Basel. Nugerol was destroyed in the 12th century during a border dispute between the count and the bishop. In 1325, the count began rebuilding the destroyed city on a new site. … Read more » “Le Landeron and its environment”

Miracles, Castles, Hellikon, Fricktal, Nature, Canton Aargau and Geoffrey Boltwood

10 November 2024

In 1415, the Eidgenossenschaft of eight cantons (Bern, Zurich, Lucerne, Zug, Uri, Unterwalden, Schwyz, and Glarus) conquered Aargau, the homeland of the Habsburgs. The village of Habsburg and the castle near Brugg are reminders of this history. All of Aargau? No, the Fricktal remained Habsburg until 1798 ( the Helvetic Republic). The Fricktal remained Catholic … Read more » “Miracles, Castles, Hellikon, Fricktal, Nature, Canton Aargau and Geoffrey Boltwood”

Diemtigen, wooden Doric columns, houses, agriculture and nature park

29 October 2024

Most villages in Switzerland display one or more historical, cultural, architectural or natural attractions. Diemtigen (canton of Bern) has all four. Diemtigen is derived from the Alemannic names ‘Thenno’, ‘Thietmar’, or ‘Diemo’. A document from 1257 mentions the village as belonging to the Bishop of Sitten, who transferred the castle (castrum) of Diemtigen to the … Read more » “Diemtigen, wooden Doric columns, houses, agriculture and nature park”

Bubendorf, Afghanistan, Separation, Wildenstein Castle and its Oaks

26 October 2024

When you think of Bubendorf (canton of Basel-Landschaft), you don’t immediately associate the village with Afghanistan or a health resort. And yet, this village of over 4,000 inhabitants is home to the most extensive collection of Afghan literature, scientific publications, documentaries, photographs, videos, and pictures in Europe at the Biblioteca Afghanica. Bubendorf was a small … Read more » “Bubendorf, Afghanistan, Separation, Wildenstein Castle and its Oaks”

St. Peter’s Island in Lake Biel, Erlach and the Jura Water Correction

22 October 2024

St. Peter’s Island (St. Peters Insel/l’île Saint-Pierre) in Lake Biel (Bielersee/lac de Bienne) was an island until 1868 and the largest in Switzerland. Between 1868 and 1875, the lake level was lowered by more than two metres during the first Jura water correction (Juragewässerkorrektion/La correction des eaux du Jura). This project created the passage (4.5 km) and … Read more » “St. Peter’s Island in Lake Biel, Erlach and the Jura Water Correction”

The Bridge Bilders, the Emme, the Alphorn and the Chüechlihus in the Emmental

9 October 2024

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Gurtnellen, strahlnen, Crystal and the Gotthard Pass

26 September 2024

Many people (including Swiss) have probably never heard of Strahlnen (or Strahlen). Yet strahlnen has made the village of Gurtnellen in the canton of Uri and places in other cantons world-famous. Monarchs from all over Europe had chandeliers and other objects made from crystal from Uri and other cantons. Crystal from the Grimsel, Guttannen (canton … Read more » “Gurtnellen, strahlnen, Crystal and the Gotthard Pass”

Vals and its Walser, natural phenomena, the Reformation and mineral springs

22 September 2024

Avalanches, floods, and rockslides have been omnipresent in Vals in the Valser Valley (Valsertal, Canton Graubünden) for centuries. A Chronicle (die Lawinechronik) has been keeping accurate records of it since 1598. The floods of 1868 were so severe that the entire village considered emigrating to America. On 20 January 1951, a snow avalanche killed 19 … Read more » “Vals and its Walser, natural phenomena, the Reformation and mineral springs”

The Innauen near Strada and Scuol and the mayfly of the Inn

26 July 2024

Pebbles have been dredged out of the Inn near Strada (the Innauen, Islas da Strada in Romansh)  in the Lower Engadin (canton Graubünden) for decades. Debris has been dumped into the river, and dams have been built. As a result, the course of the river has changed since 1950. Flora and fauna disappeared. These industrial activities … Read more » “The Innauen near Strada and Scuol and the mayfly of the Inn”