Architecture

A detour to the Messeplatz exhibition space in Basel is always worthwhile - even when there’s no large-scale exhibition taking place. The spacious area at the heart of what’s known as Kleinbasel - little Basel, is surrounded by some mind-boggling architecture: The 105 sky-meter-high Morger & Degelo tower - and the new Herzog & de Meuron construction with its “window to the heavens.”

Every Saturday from the beginning of April to the end of October, there is an interesting guided walking tour of the city. It offers the chance to discover the new Lugano train station, and the recently restored cathedral and to see the city from above.

Set in the heart of Lausanne, the Flon area has evolved in recent years into a modern and innovative district which pulsates both day and night.

Munot has been proudly overlooking the town of Schaffhausen for well over 400 years. The tower contains the quarters of the Munot watchman, who rings the famous Munot bell for five minutes every evening at 9 p.m. – by hand, of course, just like in 1589.

The fortifications of the town of Fribourg were built as protection for the town in the Middle Ages between the 13th and 15th centuries. With large sections of them having been preserved to this day, they are the most significant piece of medieval military architecture in Switzerland. They are also open to the public.

On the edge of the old town, Zug Castle is the oldest still preserved profane building in Zug and is a landmark of the city. With its many nooks and crannies, Zug Castle has been home to the museum of cultural history for the city and the Canton of Zug since 1983.

Experience innovative team building workshops in the Creative Box Pontresina, embedded in the Hotel Maistra 160, in the middle of the beautiful Engadine.

The Falken residential and commercial building impresses with its confident appearance and ambivalent aspect.

Livio Vacchini planned and constructed this commercial building between 2000 and 2003.

Aarau combines history, nature and culture in a number of different ways. The city offers a wide range of family-friendly activities. From historical journeys of discovery to relaxing hours spent on the River Aare or interactive museum visits – there’s plenty to experience here for children and adults alike.

The Museum zu Allerheiligen is one of Schaffhausen’s most significant places of interest. Here, archaeology, history and art as well as natural history converge under one roof. In addition to its extensive permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts between six and eight special exhibitions each year.

The palace on the edge of Lausanne's Old Town, just around the corner from the cathedral, is an architectural masterpiece, a showcase of the Florentine Renaissance – and a place full of charm.

The Pasquart is a space for innovative, creative young artists and encourages those with talent to develop new works of art for the exhibitions.

Monumental and as austere as an archaic temple, the new vocational school is located at the entrance to Baden. Its architecture reveals very little of the building’s purpose to those passing by.

The Spalentor is the most imposing of the three city gates that were part of the large city fortifications dating back to the year 1400. Many important supplies entered the city of Basel from Alsace through this gate. From here, there is a wonderful view over the roofs of Basel’s old town and the hills of the Jura, the Black Forest and Vosges.

The Merker-Areal, where washing machines and household appliances were once manufactured, has been turned into an attractive working and residential area. Instead of putting up a new construction, the original factory structure, with its valued industrial, cultural and historical associations, was preserved.

The cathedral is a fitting symbol of the episcopal city of Chur. Somewhat plain from the outside, it impresses with its magnificent interior.

The intact walls surrounding the city and over 200 unique Gothic facades impart incomparable mediaeval charm to Fribourg. The old town is best explored on foot, like an open-air museum.

Its conquest by the Romans 2,000 years ago is an important part of Chur’s history as a settlement. Findings dating back to this period are housed in these protective structures designed by star architect Peter Zumthor.

In St. Gallen you'll find history at every turn. The city's landmark is the Convent of St. Gall with its Baroque cathedral. The convent, including the library and monastery archives, was added to the Unesco World Heritage List in 1983.

The international Würth Group is headquartered in Chur. The company’s presence enhances Chur’s economy and its headquarters building is regarded as a special gem by those tourists who are interested in culture. Its distinctive architecture is greatly admired as are the exhibits at the Forum Würth Chur.

The southeastern corner of the former town fortification, the Gunpowder Tower, was built between 1522 and 1532 and was used to store gunpowder. Its external diameter is about 14 m, the inner diameter 8.5 m.

The new, airy, bright Information Centre of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne with its curved lines is a delightful example of modern architecture.

The Dürrenmatt Centre created by Mario Botta offers an exhibition environment which borrows both from literature and from the fine arts.

The Art Museum Winterthur possesses one of the most beautiful modern art collections in Switzerland. But artistic works don’t come to a halt here - as the building constructed in 1995 by the Zurich-based architects Gigon & Guyer makes the hearts of even less passionate art lovers beat faster.

The Water Tower, Chapel Bridge and Musegg Wall dominate the historical skyline of the city of Lucerne. However, the best view of the lake basin can be enjoyed from the path that runs along the Musegg Wall.

The «Ambassadors’ Nativity Scene» is a rarity and sure to attract all nativity scene lovers to Switzerland’s most beautiful Baroque town.

The Grossmünster is an Evangelical Protestant church in the Old Town of Zurich and the city's landmark. The view from the church towers is spectacular: far across Lake Zurich to the Alps.

With its collection of 150,000 items in some 80 languages, the Martin Bodmer Foundation is among the largest private libraries in the world.

The present name of this highest tower with the strongest walls was taken from the Capuchin monastery that was built in the vicinity in 1595.