Bremgarten
Intro
The small medieval town of Bremgarten is situated on a peninsula, nestled in a distinctive bend of the Reuss river. It is divided into an upper town and a lower town, with visitors sure to love strolling along its pretty alleyways and historic buildings.
Bremgarten was built directly into a bend in the river Reuss, which gives it not only a unique character, but also its name: “Breme” is a Middle High German word for riverbank. Bremgarten was granted a town charter in the 13th century. It even functioned as a city state before the Confederates took over Aargau. Its location on the river Reuss and at the intersection of important country roads made Bremgarten a key traffic hub in the Middle Ages, with the Reuss Bridge playing a central role. The covered wooden bridge dating back to the 16th century offers a particularly beautiful view of the small town.
Today, Bremgarten is the capital of the district of the same name and can be divided into an upper town, which is situated on an elevated plateau, and a lower town, separated from the upper town by a steep slope and situated directly at river level. The lower town was once enclosed by a mighty city wall. Today, only remnants remain, such as the Hexenturm and Hermannsturm towers, which shape Bremgarten’s skyline. The focus and at the same time the main architectural highlight of the lower town is the church district with its sloping church and the former convent. The upper town impresses with the castle, referred to as Schlössli, and the Marktgasse with its imposing facades.
Outside the city walls, you can discover a former Capuchin monastery and the impressive old schoolhouse.
ISOS
ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.
