Architecture

Lured to Lucerne by the wealthy Ludwig Pfyffer von Altishofen, the Jesuits brought the Counter Reformation to Lucerne in the 17th century; the elaborate Jesuitenkirche, dedicated to Francis Xavier, was constructed in 1666. Architects from Italy and Austria built what many believe to be the most beautiful Baroque church in Switzerland.

The Churches of St. Stephen and St. Luzi were and are both situated higher than the much more famous cathedral. Remains of the Church of St. Stephen were first discovered during the construction of the cantonal school in 1850.

The tower of the St. Lawrence Church affords a beautiful view of the Old Town and the Abbey Precinct.

Fine arts, photography and contemporary art brought together in one single spot near Lausanne station, in a cultural area that is unique in Switzerland.

One of the three remaining towers on the city walls serves as the Old Town’s southwest entrance and exit. In bygone days, it was on the Ochsenplatz, located just behind the Obertor, that goods were exchanged for the last time before they were taken across the Alps.

Solothurn’s Jesuit Church may stand in the shadow of the magnificent cathedral of St. Ursen, but it is also well worth a visit – and about a hundred years older.

AQUATIS, in the centre of Lausanne, is dedicated to the world's rivers and lakes and all the fresh water fish and reptiles that live in them. The journey in AQUATIS starts at the very beginning...

With its coating of pink granite, the spherical Ste-Trinité Church arouses curiosity. Set in the centre of the city, this singular church stands out amid the surrounding buildings. Built in 1994, its original architecture is subject to a range of interpretations.

This building at 2-4 rue Saint-Laurent (in the Villereuse area) can appear out-of-date these days, but when it was designed by the famous Swiss architect Le Corbusier in 1931-32, it was really a very futuristic project. Everything is made with steel and glass. The metallic frame frees the interior walls from all supporting functions.

The postal bus station at Chur train station is one of the city’s most striking buildings. The imposing glass dome provides shelter for passengers and buses in all weathers and serves as a starting point for many interesting rides aboard the yellow buses.

As a hospital, an orphanage or a hostel for craftsmen, Solothurn's Old Hospital has been a venue for people to meet and receive hospitality since it was first mentioned in the 14th century.

The medieval castle above the town of Thun is a striking focal point at the entrance to the Bernese Oberland region. This almost completely preserved symbol of power contains the Knights' Hall, one of the few surviving halls of its type from the Middle Ages.

Schaffhausen is one of the best-preserved mediaeval towns and is perfect for a guided tour.

The Espacité Tower offers almost 360-degree views above the Old Town of La Chaux-de-Fonds.

The Trafo Baden, originally a transformer assembly hall dating back to the 1920s, is a prime example of effective building conversion in conjunction with new construction.

Climb the 365 steps and you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the town of Fribourg.

From romanesque and historicism through to modern architecture – downtown Zurich boasts a diverse range of architectural styles.

Schaffhausen is a town that has much to offer. Its mediaeval facades, 171 majestic oriel windows, winding alleyways, street cafes and restaurants combine with enchanting shops to give it a special appeal. This year there is a new way to experience Schaffhausen's old town.

The church, which was originally part of a Franciscan monastery, is home to Switzerland's most famous Renaissance fresco. It covers the whole wall of the nave. The "Passion and and Crucifixion of Christ" is defined by great expressiveness and vividness of the individual scenes.

The sanctuary of Madonna del Sasso in Orselina above Locarno is the most famous place of pilgrimage in the Italian part of Switzerland. It is rooted in the ancient tradition of votive gifts.

This 9-storey aluminium, glass and steel building is an extremely practical creation and fully deserves its place in the urban infrastructure due to its original volumetry in the shape of a wing. The ninth floor is occupied by a cafeteria with a panoramic terrace overlooking the lake and city.

Neuenburg Castle and the collegiate church have shaped the townscape of Neuenburg since the 12th century. The architecturally striking building complex is enthroned on a rocky outcrop above the city.

Here, the imaginary world of the Smurfs has been recreated in the form of houses with extravagant curves. Behind the Cornavin station, these buildings in their improbable shapes and unexpected colours never fail to surprise! Welcome to the world of the Smurfs!

Opened in 1841, the Vaud Museum of Fine Arts in Lausanne is one of the oldest museums in Switzerland exclusively dedicated to art. The museum presents several temporary exhibitions each year from its collection of 10,000 works.

A significant building with a Renaissance facade. In the interior you will find numerous frescoes and important Baroque decorations.

Good architecture is not only self-evident, instead as important to the city as the bend in the Rhine. Here you have buildings by international stars like Frank Gehry or Zaha Hadid – and the world-famous Basel-based duo Herzog & de Meuron. Anyone keen on architecture is in their element here, and able to follow one of three architectural paths.

ECAL, Lausanne's University of Art and Design, is one of the world's most prestigious art educational institutions.

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