This section contains an overview of the most relevant monuments in Switzerland.
13 October 2026
From the 13th to the 15th century, various noble families made Schenkenberg Castle their seat. From 1460 until it was abandoned in 1720, it served as the Bernese bailiff’s seat. The main keep stood at the highest point of the site. It consisted of the main tower, the shield wall (die Schildmauer, see also Farnsburg … Read more » “Schenkenberg Castle, Bern and the Canton of Aargau”
3 September 2026
The castle of Vaumarcus (canton of Neuchâtel) dates back to the 12th century and was first mentioned in 1285. The Vaumarcus barony consisted of the village of Vaumarcus and the hamlets of Le Moulin and Vernéaz. The castle and its territory were sold in 1308 to Count Rudolf IV of Neuchâtel (1274-1343), also called Rolin. The Count … Read more » “Vaumarcus Castle”
12 July 2026
The region has been a battlefield for centuries. The Counts of Tyrol, the (Austrian and Spanish) Habsburgs, local dynasties, the Bünder alliances and their (French) allies were the main protagonists until the last war, the Bündner Wirren (1618-1639). The Lords of Frickingen of Überlingen am Bodensee built the Steinsberg castle in Ardez (Community of Scuol, … Read more » “Ardez and Steinsberg Castle”
10 July 2026
Saint-Ursanne (canton of Jura), named after the saint, is located on the River Doubs. The (Irish) monk Ursicinus (after the Latin word urs or bear) died here around the year 620. Ursicinus and his bear The town and its Benedictine abbey still have their medieval character. The monastery appeared in documents in 830. The (presumed) … Read more » “The Prince-Bishopric of Basel, Bern, Jura and Saint-Ursanne”
9 July 2026
The Benedict Convent of St. John, Claustra Son Jon in Müstair (Canton of Graubünden) was founded around 774 by Charlemagne (748-814) and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. The monastery is a complex of historical (Carolingian) buildings and wall paintings, a museum and a house of prayer and work for more than … Read more » “The Convent of St. John in Müstair”
13 May 2026
The first mention of the castle and the seigneury dates back to the year 1100. Little else is known about the period up to the thirteenth century, apart from the fact that a Benedictine monastery was founded in 1146, which still stands today in the city centre with its magnificent Romanesque architecture, sculpture and frescoes. … Read more » “Castle, Priory Saint-Jean-Baptiste and Town Grandson”
10 April 2026
A village, town or other place in Switzerland usually has some sort of cultural, industrial or historical feature, or a noteworthy natural setting. The former Premonstratensian monastery of Gottstatt in the municipality of Orpund (canton of Bern) has a bit of everything. Premonstratensian monastery of Gottstatt The former Premonstratensian monastery of Gottstatt lies between the … Read more » “The Premonstratensian monastery Gottstatt and the Nidau-Büren Canal”
8 April 2026
The exact date of the founding of the former Benedictine Monastery Schönthal in the village of Langenbrück (Canton Basel-Landschaft) is unknown. However, a document from 1146 confirms that the founder was Count Adalbero of Froburg. The contours of the monastery are well preserved, particularly the famous Romanesque portal. The consecration of the monastery church took … Read more » “Langenbruck, Monastery and Sculpture Park Schönthal”
8 March 2026
Basel’s population increased from 30,000 in 1850 to over 100,000 in 1900. The city expanded and planned neighbourhoods for various target groups: rental houses for workers, houses with business space for the middle class, and exclusive residential homes for the wealthy. The area around Saint Paul’s Church was reserved for the bourgeoisie, characterised by large … Read more » “The St. Paul Church, St. Antonius Church and Badische Bahnhof in Basel”
2 March 2026
In the spring of 1802, the last Austrian garrison commander left Rheinfelden. This marked the end of more than 450 years of Habsburg-Austrian rule. Although the Swiss Confederates had already conquered Aargau and Habsburg Castle from the Habsburgs in 1415, the Fricktal remained under Habsburg control until it was assigned to the newly created Canton … Read more » “A Small Window and the History of Rheinfelden”
