10 urban classics

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Introdução

The Swiss Museum of Transport, Basel Zoo, the Château de Chillon… we’ve picked 10 classic city attractions in Switzerland you should get to know – or rediscover.

Switzerland’s city of castles

Bearing the proud names of Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro, the spectacular castles of Bellinzona can be seen from miles away. In 2000 UNESCO added them to its list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. You can explore the impressive fortifications on foot – from the defensive walls to the top of the towers.
Bellinzona’s mighty fortifications were built in the late Middle Ages to seal off the valley. Today the "Tre Castelli" are the symbol of Ticino’s capital, and form a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The largest of the three castles, Castelgrande, was restored in 1991 and is easy to reach from the Old Town by lift. Montebello and Sasso Corbaro house museums that relate the town’s rich history.

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Lake Geneva’s famous castle

The Château de Chillon, perched on a rock just off the shore of Lake Geneva, is Switzerland’s most-visited historical attraction. It has inspired countless artists and writers from JMW Turner and Gustave Courbet to Victor Hugo and Lord Byron; visit the castle today, and hundreds of years of history – from the 12th to the 16th centuries – are as vivid as ever. The lake-and-mountain setting is perhaps the finest in Switzerland.

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Baroque beauty

The library in St. Gallen Abbey is one of the most beautiful in the world. Built between 1758 and 1767, the hall is a showpiece of baroque exuberance, with cherubs, oil paintings and gilt ornamentation as far as the eye can see. The shelves contain many priceless books and manuscripts, including the Rule of St. Benedict and the Abrogans – regarded as the oldest surviving book in the German language.

Feel the force

Here you will find that science is easy to grasp – literally. At Technorama Winterthur, more than 500 hands-on science and technology exhibits are waiting to be discovered and explored.
Touching is strongly encouraged, and playing strictly allowed – for at the only Science Centre in Switzerland, everything revolves around experiencing things yourself. Sparks fly at the live shows – for example at “Megavolts and kiloamps: the natural history of lightning”, while you can experience the thrill of discovery at workshops that invite you to roll up your sleeves and join in.

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The kingdom of wild animals

Opened in 1874 and affectionately known as “Zolli” by the locals, Basel's Zoological Gardens are home to a large number of indigenous and exotic animals. With its fascinating park landscape and lovingly designed enclosures, Basel Zoo is well worth a visit at any time of year. In summer, the park invites you to a cozy outdoors stroll - and in winter the many animals’ dwellings promise exciting encounters at close range. Those wishing to explore the underwater world also discover a colorful variety of marine animals.

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