Zwingli and the Reformation in Switzerland

Hans Asper (1499 -1571), Ulrich Zwingli 1531. Kunstmuseum Winterthur, Photo/Foto: Wikipedia.

19 January 2022

Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) preached his religious ideas from the pulpit of the Grossmünster in Zurich 500 years ago. The Reformation deeply influenced the city, the canton of Zurich, the (ancient) Confederation and Europe. The break with Catholic tradition came in 1522 when a sausage meal violated the commandment of fasting. Zwingli’s remarks aroused the anger … Read more » “Zwingli and the Reformation in Switzerland”

The two Burgundian kingdoms and Sapaudia

21 December 2021

The history of the Burgundians is intertwined with that of Switzerland, allowing us to reconstruct an important episode. Between 443 and 1032, the two Burgundian kingdoms were unique among the barbarian kingdoms that emerged in the early Middle Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire. The Burgundians Who were the Burgundians? The Roman encyclopaedist … Read more » “The two Burgundian kingdoms and Sapaudia”

The Thurgauer Swabians become Swiss

Johann Stumpf (1500-1578), Schlacht bei Schwaderloh. Foto: Meyer, F.: Schweizergeschichte von der Bundesgründung bis Marignano, Lehrmittelverlag des Kantons Thurgau, Frauenfeld 1976.

8 November 2021

Thurgau was first mentioned as a region in the Duchy of Swabia in the 9th century. After the extinction of the Counts of Kyburg in 1264, the Habsburgs inherited the rights. Medieval Thurgau was not yet a clearly defined region and it included large parts of the present-day cantons of St. Gallen, Zurich and the German diocese … Read more » “The Thurgauer Swabians become Swiss”

Amerbacher Music Library

Hans Holbein der J. (1497-1543), Bonifacius Amerbach, 1519. Kunstmuseum Basel, Amerbach-Kabinett. Foto/Photo: TES.

1 September 2021

Basel was a centre of humanism in the late 15th and 16th centuries. The printing and paper industry flourished thanks to the university’s foundation in 1460. The printer Johannes von Amerbach (1440-1513) settled in Basel in 1484. Erasmus of Rotterdam (1467-1536) was a friend of the family. His youngest son Bonifacius Amerbach (1495-1562) gained access … Read more » “Amerbacher Music Library”

Habsburg, the Confederation and the Eternal Peace

Die Schlachtkapelle, , gemälde. Sempach. Foto/Photo: TES.

26 July 2021

In the Late Middle Ages, large parts of Central Switzerland and the present-day canton of Lucerne still formally belonged to the Habsburg dominion. Under Duke Leopold III (1351-1386), the Habsburgs tried to get a better grip on their territories after the foundation of the Confederation and the lost battle in 1315 (Morgarten). At the same … Read more » “Habsburg, the Confederation and the Eternal Peace”

Rottweil and the Swiss Cantons

Rottweil. Photo/Foto: Christoph Probst/Wikipedia.

10 January 2020

The ancient Roman town of Arae Flaviae, present-day Rottweil in Germany (Baden-Wurttemberg), had an alliance with the Eidgenossenschaft of thirteen Orte (or cantons) since 1519 and, from 1463 onwards, gained the status of zugewandter Ort. Besides Mulhouse,  Rottweil is the only city with this status not part of modern Switzerland. In 1519, twelve of the … Read more » “Rottweil and the Swiss Cantons”

Alpine route of Romanesque culture

Die Alpine Strasse der Romanik. Foto: www.stiegenzumhimmel.it

27 November 2019

The Alpine route of Romanesque culture features buildings and paintings from the period. It stretches between Swiss Engadine and Italian South Tyrol and Trentino. It features dozens of Romanesque cultural sights. The Vinschgau and the Val Müstair are home to some of Europe’s oldest Carolingian/Romanesque churches and frescoes. The route travels through Müstair, Burgeis, Laas, … Read more » “Alpine route of Romanesque culture”

The Acropolis of Neuchâtel

Château de Neuchâtel, 12e siècle. Photo:TES

16 November 2019

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Christianity in Graubünden and the last Prince-Bishop of the Holy Roman Empire

Cathedral of Chur. Photo: www.kath.ch

28 March 2019

Christianity took root in Switzerland at the beginning of the 5th century and throughout the 6th century. The oldest church foundations in St. Maurice, Chur, and Geneva date from the 4th century. The abbey of St. Maurice was founded in 516. Christian congregations existed in the fifth century in Romainmôtier, Nyon, Yverdon, Avenches, Windisch, Augst, … Read more » “Christianity in Graubünden and the last Prince-Bishop of the Holy Roman Empire”

Pilgrimage in European Perspective

The Via Francigena. Photo: www.francigena-international.org)

12 February 2019

Three major pilgrimage routes existed in the Middle Ages. The Way of St James goes from all over Europe to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the Via Francigena goes from Canterbury to Rome, and the pilgrimage goes from all over Europe to Jerusalem. The latter finally resulted in violent crusades. Many routes in many … Read more » “Pilgrimage in European Perspective”