The Prince-Bishopric of Basel after 1813

16 November 2022

The Prince-Bishopric of Basel experienced two significant revolutions after 1500. The title of Prince-Bishopric is a consequence of the status of the Bishop in the Holy Roman Empire. The Bishop was a prince (Reichsfürst/Fürstbischof) of the Empire. The Reformation in the years 1527-1529 was a clear break. The Bishop moved to Porrentruy (Pruntrut in German, … Read more » “The Prince-Bishopric of Basel after 1813”

From Stagecoach to the Postauto

6 November 2022

Kaspar Stockalper (1609-1691), the entrepreneur, politician and diplomat from Brig (Canton of Valais), established professional postal services across the Simplon pass. The museum in the Stockalperschloss pays attention to this activity in the exhibition “Passage Simplon”. His successful (and lucrative) business delivered mail from Milan to Lyon in less than eight days. The couriers and … Read more » “From Stagecoach to the Postauto”

The Helvetic Republic and Nidwalden

31 July 2022

In January 1798, French troops invaded the Swiss Confederation (Eidgenossenschaft). The territory of the Prince-Bishopic Basel had already been confiscated in 1792 and 1797. The Swiss cantons and cities capitulated. On 6 April 1798, the (French) Directorium proclaimed the Helvetic Constitution of the new unitary republic: Art. 1: The Helvetic Republic is an indivisible state. … Read more » “The Helvetic Republic and Nidwalden”