Culture
Select your Region:
A wealth of variety within a small country - this is the charm of the Swiss culture. Historical old towns, castles, churches, and convents are witnesses of the rich cultural heritage of Switzerland.
Right at the end of the Maggiatal (Fusio, Ticino) stands the little mountain church. Its most striking features are the special roof and the checkerboard like pattern on the walls – dark and pale marble from local quarries.
Charles the Great has left his mark on Müstair.Thanks to the Carolingian cloister and the churchwith its well-preserved frescoes,this lovely Alpinesite has been declared part of our World Cultural Heritage.
Affoltern im Emmental (Schweizer Mittelland)
Who wouldn’t know our famous cheese with its even more famous holes?
Appenzell (Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein)
The small town of Appenzell and the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden lie in a picturesque, hilly landscape to the south of Lake Constance. Rambling and climbing on the Alpstein and the region’s independent culture, fashioned by long-held rural customs and religious traditions, are the highlights.
Ascona (Ticino)
Nowadays, three buildings are part of the museum circuit: Casa Anatta, Casa Selma and the wooden pavilion "Chiaro Mondo dei Beati".
Augusta Raurica (Basel Region)
A visit to Augusta Raurica, the famous Roman settlement on the Rhine, promises more than just a fascinating insight into one of the most interesting chapters of human history; it's sure to be lots of fun too!
Avenches (Lake Geneva Region)
During the Roman period, Aventicum was the
capital city of the Helvetians, and Avenches
remains one of the most important archaeological
sites in Switzerland
Basel (Basel Region)
The history of Basel as an urban settlement begins on the Cathedral Hill. In the first century BC, Celts from the tribe of the Rauricii lived there in a fortified "oppidum". In the Rittergasse, remains of the "Celtic Wall" can be seen in windows let into the ground.
Bellinzona (Ticino)
Bellinzona (German: Bellenz) is strategically positioned where the valley narrows at the southern entrance to the Alpine passes of St. Gotthard, San Bernardino and Lucomagno and is probably Switzerland's most Italianate town. The skyline of the capital of Ticino, comprising three of the best-preserved medieval castles in Switzerland, which are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bern (Schweizer Mittelland)
Not many cities have managed to retain their historic features quite as successfully as Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The old town of Bern has been entered in the list of UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites and thanks to its 6 kilometres of arcades - the locals refer to them as 'Lauben' - boasts on of the longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades in Europe. The Zentrum Paul Klee houses the most comprehensive collection of works by the artist.
Biel - Bienne (Schweizer Mittelland)
The town of Biel, the metropolis of Swiss watchmaking, lies at the eastern end of Lake Biel, at the foot of the Jura in the delightful Lake Region. The charm of bilingualism, the intact old town and its location as the gateway to the three peripheral Jura lakes (Lakes Biel, Neuchâtel and Murten) make the town an attractive starting point, but also a destination for excursions.
Brig (Valais)
The Stockalper"'s Castle in Brig is one of the finest castles in Switzerland.
Carouge (Geneva (Region))
Carouge is situated a few minutes' drive from the heart of Geneva and is an attractive town which should not be bypassed.
Chur (Graubünden)
Chur looks back on 5000 years of settlement history, which also makes it Switzerland’s oldest town. The lively small bishop’s town has developed to become the cultural and economic centre of the Grisons, thanks to its excellent location on key transport routes through the Alps. 26 Grisons holiday and spa resorts can be reached in less than an hour from Chur.
Dornach (Basel Region)
The extraordinary concrete building, which was built after a model of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, can be seen from afar.
Einsiedeln (Central Switzerland)
Einsiedeln has been one of the most important places of pilgrimage ever since the Middle Ages. In the newly restored Benedictine Abbey you will find the Lady Chapel with the Black Madonna.
Flüeli-Ranft (Central Switzerland)
Flüeli-Ranft was the home of the world-famous Swiss national saint Niklaus von Flüe (1417-1487). It is the scene of his birthplace and of the house where he lived when he became the hermit Brother Klaus during the last two decades of his life.
Fribourg (Fribourg Region)
Located on the language border, Fribourg is a city of art and culture and is recognised as one of the most beautiful examples of medieval architecture in Europe.
Genève (Geneva (Region))
A visit to the Palais allows you to see certain conference rooms, notably the Counsel Room, which is decorated with superb frescoes, and the Assembly Room, which is even more vast than the Paris Opera!
Gletterens (Fribourg Region)
Built in 1996 on the site of a lakeside village dating back to 3000 B.C., the Neolithic farm at Gletterens brings the prehistoric past back to life.
Grandson (Lake Geneva Region)
Collection of weapons and armour, vintage
car museum, parapet walk, torture chamber
and dungeons.
Gruyères (Fribourg Region)
Dominating the small city surrounded by walls where counts once lived, Gruyere Castle presents an interesting opportunity to find out about five centuries of history, and to see remarkable supernatural art exhibitions.
Guarda (Graubünden)
This village of sgraffito-decorated houses in
the Engadine/Scuol holiday region enjoys
national protection.
Hilterfingen (Bernese Oberland)
The castle is situated on Lake Thun and stands in delightful grounds with venerable old trees. Commissioned by Baron von Parpart-von Bonstetten, it was built from 1861 to 1863 and partly modernized around the turn of the century.
Lenzburg (Schweizer Mittelland)
Lenzburg Castle is one of Switzerland"s oldest and most important strongholds.
