Historical Museums

The Museum of the Swiss Charters of Confederation exhibits the most important documents from the history of the Old Swiss Confederation and explains their meaning. The focal point is the legendary Federal Charter of 1291.

The Diemtigtal valley is celebrated for its magnificent rural dwellings, and you can see some of the finest along the marked Diemtigtal House Trail. The details are particularly impressive: intricate carving, delicate paintings and elaborate compositions of form and colour that adorn the wooden façades underneath the massive roofs.

The Roman Mosaics of Orbe consist of eight magnificent mosaic floors that decorated a Gallic-Roman estate dating back to the year 170. The mosaics give the visitor an inkling of the enormous wealth of the lord of the manor and gentleman farmer, whose villa had more than 100 rooms.

This little village in the heart of the Leventina valley is rich in historical monuments. Surrounded by vineyards the small village has seven churches running the length of the town as well as countless historic bridges and buildings. On your guided tour of the village you will learn about Giornico's fascinating history.

A monumental panorama, a piece of European cultural heritage and a symbol of Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition – the Bourbaki Panorama brings together a multitude of stories: political events, personal outcomes, everyday stories and a slice of art, culture and media history. There is no doubt that the Bourbaki Panorama is a genuine “visual miracle”.

The Basel Historical Museum with its three sites is widely regarded as the most important museum of cultural history on the Upper Rhine. It collects, conserves, records and researches objects and artefacts of relevance to our cultural heritage for future generations, tells visitors the story of Basel, and is a place for discourse and engagement with both present and future.

The Abbey of St. Gall has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, and has plenty of impressive treasures just waiting to be discovered in its library, vaulted cellar and new exhibition hall.

The old centre of the village of Brè is studded with artistic details and sculptures. Discover works by local artists, such as Wilhelm Schmid or Pasquale Gilardi “Leièn”.

Route: Geneva - Lausanne - Orbe - Avenches - Solothurn - Augst

The Roman Museum in Nyon tells the story of Noviodunum, a colony founded by Julius Caesar. Not far from the museum you also find an amphitheater, discovered only in 1996.

Located 20 km from Lausanne on the road to Bern, Moudon – the former capital of the county of Vaud – boasts some of Switzerland’s best-preserved buildings. A unique and lively collection at the Musée du Vieux-Moudon presents the town’s rich history.

The castle on Lake Thun stands in a delightful park surrounded by venerable old trees.

The fortifications of Fribourg were built to protect the town and are today open to the public.

Visitors hear about the six-hundred-year history that is behind the flags and participate in one of the country’s oldest customs.

The “pyramid-shaped mountain” is full of fossilised fish and marine reptiles – a treasure trove 240 million years old. What was once a sea basin later gave way to Monte San Giorgio, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The modernised Fossil Museum in Meride exhibits a selection of fossilised animals and plants.