Canton of Uri

The canton of Uri has undergone historical, economic, and political development similar to that of Schwyz in Celtic and Roman times. Altdorf is the main town of the canton and is famous, among other things, for William Tell. Significant events include Emperor Friedrich II’s (1196-1250) decision on the status of a free imperial city (Reichsunmittelbarkeit), … Read more » “Canton of Uri”

Canton Schwyz

The village of Schwyz is the namesake of Switzerland and of the canton. As one of the Waldstätten Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden (Unterwalden) or Orte, Talschaften or Landsgemeinde on Lake Lucerne (the Vierwaldstättersee), the place and its surrounding areas and municipalities achieved autonomy and sovereignty as early as the 14th century. The canton reached its current … Read more » “Canton Schwyz”

Canton Jura

The first statue in the canton, Roman period Délemont, Musée jurassien d’art et d’histoire 999-1792/97 From 999, the area of the French-speaking canton of Jura fell under the bishopric of Basel. In the following centuries, especially in the 14th and 15th centuries, Bern gained increasing influence in the southern part of Jura, including in la … Read more » “Canton Jura”

Canton Vaud

The present-day Canton de Vaud (Waadt in German)  area has been inhabited since the end of the last Ice Age (10,000). The Helvetians The region gained notoriety through Julius Caesar’s mention of the Celtic tribe, the Helvetians, in De Bello Gallico. This tribe also inhabited Vaud from 450 to 58 BC. Tombs have been found … Read more » “Canton Vaud”

Canton Geneva

The area of the present canton and city of Geneva was already inhabited around 10,000 B.C. In the ninth century B.C., the water level of Lake Geneva rose 5 metres, and the inhabitants left the area. In the second century B.C., the Celtic tribe of the Allobroges inhabited the banks of the lake and the … Read more » “Canton Geneva”

Canton of Neuchâtel

The last Burgundian King founded the castle novum castellum in 1011, hence the name Neuenburg/Neuchâtel. The newly formed borough soon expanded into the Jura upper valleys. 1100-1798 The county of Neuchâtel was founded in the 12th century. Its size reached around 1500, which is the size of the present-day canton of Neuchâtel. Colombier, Valangins, Corcelles, … Read more » “Canton of Neuchâtel”

Canton of Basel-Stadt and the City of Basel

The Celtic tribe of Rauraken inhabited the region of Basel before the arrival of the Romans. The foundations of the ancient fortress, a Celtic oppidum known as the Murus gallicus, can still be seen on the hill near the Münster (the cathedral). Its location on the Rhine was important for fishing and trade. Town Hall (Rathaus), statue (1580) … Read more » “Canton of Basel-Stadt and the City of Basel”

Canton Basel-Landschaft

The Canton of Basel-Landschaft (Baselbiet) was created in 1833 as a split-off from the Canton of Basel, which had been a member of the Confederation since 1501. 1501-1833 In 1501, the city of Basel was the dominant political power in the canton of Basel. The area beyond the city walls was an Untertanengebiet ruled by … Read more » “Canton Basel-Landschaft”

Canton and City of Lucerne

Monasterium Luciara The monastery of Lucaria was founded around 735. A bridge connected the monastery to the other side of the river Reuss. The settlement was one of the sixteen so-called Dinghöfe, land and territories owned by the monastery. The monastery’s name was first mentioned in 760, “ monasterium Luciara”. This settlement became the city … Read more » “Canton and City of Lucerne”

Canton Solothurn

Solothurn (Soleure) has a long history that goes back to the prehistory of the Celts and the Romans. The Celtic name of the settlement was Salodurum (watergate), a name adopted by the Romans. The town became a free imperial city (freie Reichsstadt) of the Holy Roman Empire in 1281. For two centuries, it acquired the … Read more » “Canton Solothurn”