Led by Roman senator Lucius Munatius Plancus, the Romans founded the colony of Augusta Raurica around 44 BC, naming the settlement for the local Gallic tribe, the Rauraci. However, it was not until 15 BC when successful colonisation happened, owning to Emperor Augustus‘ conquest of the central Alps.
The city was founded on a high plateua near to the river Rhine and at the base of the Juna Mountains, establishing a frontier against the unconquered Germania. The Romans therefore built strong defences at Augusta Raurica; establishing a castrum at the base of the mountains, and the city was defended by steep slopes on the north, east and western sides.
By the 2nd century AD, Augusta Raurica was a thriving trading centre and capital of the local Roman province. With an estimated population of 20,000 people, Augusta Raurica exported smoked pork and bacon throughout the empire. As a typical Roman city, Augusta Raurica also possessed features such as an amphitheatre, forum, some smaller forums, an aqueduct, public baths, a variety of temples and the largest theatre north of the Alps.
A powerful earthquake damaged a lot of the city in 250 AD and shortly after, Alemanni Germans or some pillaging Roman troops destroyed Augusta Raurica. What remained of the city relocated to a fortress on the Rhine, Castrum Rauracense. By 1442, the descendants of these communities were divided along the rivers, one half becoming Habsburg territory and the other Swiss. Both became Switzerland after Napoleon defeated the Habsburgs in 1803.
Today, the excavated Augusta Raurica and later Roman castrum are heritage sites of national significance. The ruined settlement is open to the public, and visitors can see the modest remains of the amphitheatre, aqueduct, the forum with a temple to Jupiter and basilica, as well as the impressive remains of the theatre.
While much of the built up commercial area is yet to be excavated, you can still see the remains of a bakery, potter and tile kiln. Nearby, you can also stop inside the Roman Museum which houses Augusta Raurica’s most important finds, the highlight being the treasure of Kaiseraugst: a treasure hoard found in 1961 belonging most likely to a commander. The museum also includes a reconstructed Roman house to illustrate daily life.
For those driving, Augusta Raurica is an 18 minute drive along the A3 from Basel. There is parking on the other side of the road opposite Augusta Raurica. If you are travelling by public transport, the S1 train from Basel SBB Station leaves every 30 minutes and takes 23 minutes to reach Kaiseraugst, an 11 minute walk from Augusta Raurica.
]]>The foundation of the city of Aventicum is probably related to the failed attempt at migration of the Helvetians in 58 BC and their forced return to their point of departure. The name of the city derives from that of the Celtic protective goddess Aventia. Aventicum was the capital of the Helvetii.
It is unclear as to exactly when Aventicum was founded, but it reached its peak between the 1st century BC and 5th century AD, during its time as capital of the region under Roman rule. At this point, it was home to some 20,000 inhabitants. Aventicum also became a colony of Rome or “colonia”, a prestigious accolade, in around 71AD.
The sites which can now be seen at the archaeological site of Aventicum are very well preserved and include a 2nd century amphitheatre which would have seated 16,000, some of the original city walls with a surviving tower (originally one of 73), a set of thermal baths and holy sites including a sanctuary and some temples.
From the end of Antiquity, the city served as a quarry, but several monuments still bear witness to its past grandeur.
Now located in the area known as Avenches, Aventicum offers visitors plenty of original sites to see. There is also a museum within the amphitheatre tower which explores the history of Aventicum and with finds from the site itself including daily tools, mosaics, sculptures and various items from the city’s time under the Romans.
Aventicum is around an hour and 15 minutes drive away from Geneva. There are good railway and public transport links to the area.
]]>Visitors to the Bex Salt Mines can discover the story of this site, from the time salt was first discovered in the 15th century to how it was mined from 1684 onwards, right up until today. There is even the opportunity to descend into the depths of the Bex Salt Mines via a real mining train.
Between 200 to 600 million years ago, the Rhône Valley was a shallow sea, and it is from this sea that the great salt deposits of Bex within the Canton of Vaud originate. The salt mines were not discovered until 1554 in Switzerland, and production of salt quickly followed with a salt works built in Roche. Initially run by foreign nobles, in 1685 the mines came under control of the Bernese state.
As the mines demanded large amounts of wood, in 1695 a forest was planted in the Joux Verte gorge. The trees and their natural evaporation was replaced with boiling in the 17th century to speed salt production. As demand grew, tunnels were dug to find new sources, which included deposits at Le Bévieux and Les Devens.
Today, you can descend the well-lit staircase within the immense cavernous dark of the Bex Salt Mines. This working salt mine produces 30,000 tons of salt per year, and is comprised of a labyrinth of tunnels over 50 km long. When visiting the museum and mines, visitors can learn about the various techniques of salt mining that date back to 1684.
A small yellow subterranean train takes you through the mining complex to a restaurant 400 metres down. Tour are guided in French, so be sure to pick up an audioguide if you do not speak the language. For those brave enough, take an adventure tour into the original 17th century mines.
If you are happy to hike, from the Bex CFF railway station to the Salt Mines it takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes. From the Bévieux TPC railway station to the Salt Mines, about 50 minutes. By car follow the A9 exit at Bex, then follow the brown road signs with “Mines de Sel” written on. Be aware not to confuse it with the Saline de Bex located just a few kilometres away.
]]>Through the centuries it has been home to the Counts of Savoy as well as Lord Byron.
Chillon began as a Roman outpost, guarding the strategic road through the Alpine passes. First construction of the castle itself dates back to the 10th century, though it is likely that it was a military site before that date: objects dating from the Roman and Bronze ages were discovered during 19th century excavations.
The oldest parts of the castle haven’t been definitively dated, but the first written record of the castle is in 1005. From the mid 12th century, the castle was used a summer house for the Counts of Savoy, who kept a fleet of ships on Lake Geneva.
Chateau de Chillon was hugely expanded in 1248 and in 1266-7 by Peter II.
During the 16th century Wars of Religion, the castle was used as a prison by the dukes of Savoy to house prisoners. In 1536, the castle was captured by a Genevois and Bernese force, meaning that all of the prisoners were released, and then served as the residence for the Bernese bailiff until it was converted into a state prison in 1733.
In 1798, the French-speaking canton of Vaud drove out the German-speaking Bernese authorities and declared the Lemanic Republic. From then on, Chillon was used as a weapons and munitions depot.
At the end of the 19th century, structures were set up for scientific and historically accurate restoration project of Chillon. The restoration project was internationally acclaimed for its rigour and attention to detail, with a combination of knowledge and extensive research heavily influencing its development.
Historically, Chillon has attracted romantic writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Gustave Flaubert, and Lord Byron. Today, Chillon is amongst the most visited castles in Switzerland and Europe, with 42 rooms and an accompanying audio guide making it a hugely worthwhile visit.
Chateau de Chillon is a 6 minute drive from the centre of Montreux, via Route 9. By bus, it takes around 15 minutes from the centre, with a number of buses departing every 10 minutes. By foot, it takes around 30 minutes from Montreux’s centre, via Route 9.
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Château de Prangins has been a seat of power for centuries. The current building dates to 1732, and has been extensively restored and furnished in the original style.
Château de Prangins has been home famous figures ranging from barons to Joseph Bonaparte and Voltaire. From 1873 to 1920, the castle was used as a school by a Protestant monastic order. It then changed hands a number of times before being passed to the USA government in 1962. It was finally purchased by the cantonal governments of Vaud and Geneva as a Swiss National Museum.
A great deal of restoration work was needed to get the castle into good enough shape to be opened as a museum. The museum opened in 1998. Now restored to the peak of its grandeur, Château de Prangins offers in an insight into its past and this period of Swiss history including a permanent open-air tour of its grounds.
The museum displays a range of historical and cultural exhibits. In particular, among its permanent exhibits is a collection about Swiss life between the 18th and 20th centuries.
A romantic park and the largest historic vegetable garden in Switzerland also form a part of the Château de Prangins.
Prangins lies just a few minutes from Nyon. From the centre of Nyon, it is reachable by car in 5 minutes via Route d’Oulteret. By foot, it’s a scenic 25-30 minute walk via Chemin de Trembley or Route 1. There are also a number of buses which run from Nyon to Prangins, Sadex, from where the château is a 7 minute walk.
]]>Today, Einsiedeln Abbey is home to an important statue known as the Black Madonna as well as a winery and a theological school.
The monk Meinrad was educated at the abbey school of Reichenau, where he became a monk and ordained priest. Meinrad moved to Mount Etzel, but died on January 21 861 AD when he was killed by some robbers thinking the hermit had valuable treasures. From that point onwards, the location was always inhabited by a hermit emulating Meinrad. One such hermit, Eberhard, founded a monastery there in 934 and became its first abbot.
Allegedly, the monastery was consecrated miraculously by Jesus Christ himself in 948 – an event investigated and claimed by then pope, Leo VIII. The third abbot was made prince of the Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Otto I and in 1274 the abbey was made an independent principality by Rudolf I of Germany.
It was during this period the abbey was rededicated to ‘Our Lady of the Hermits’, growing wealthy and a popular pilgrimage site. Einsiedeln Abbey remained independent until 1798 when the French invaded under Napoleon Bonaparte.
In the 16th century the spread of Protestantism in Switzerland caused instability. Zwingli (Swiss Reformation leader) was at Einsiedeln Abbey for some time, protesting the pilgrimages. The abbey was left untouched despite the reformation, and a Benedictine order was established there in 1602, promoting a high standard of scholarship among the monks.
The abbey itself was reconstructed several times after numerous fires – entirely redone in the Vorarlberg Baroque style between 1719 and 1735. The main facade is flanked by 2 ornate towers and the interior reflects the exterior grandeur, covered in frescoes and stuccos.
Einsiedeln Abbey still stands in its magnificence at the intersection of the main road beside a large town square. Open all day, be sure to visit the Chapel of Grace, designed in the Neo-classical style which contains the venerated Black Madonna statue and the reliquary of Saint Meinrad.
The abbey still functions as such, with 55 monks teaching around 350 students as well as serving local parishes. While at Einsiedeln Abbey, you should sample some of the wine made on-site and visit the small gift shop.
The closest bus stop to Einsiedeln Abbey is Einsiedeln, Brüel on bus routes 552, 553, 555, 556 and 560. The stop is a 2 minute walk round the corner to the abbey. For drivers, Einsiedeln Abbey is a 40 minute drive along the A3 from Zürich. There is parking on site too. You can also get the S25 and S13 trains from Zürich Main Station to Einsiedeln.
]]>Construction of Fort Vallorbe began in 1937 and was completed in 1941. Hewn out of the surrounding rock, Fort Vallorbe was built into a network of underground tunnels including accommodation, a hospital and munitions storage, all with air filtration. These self-sufficient bunkers accommodated up to 200 men by 1945.
The fort covered the Swiss end on the Mont d’Or railroad tunnel and the Joux valley, and was armed with three artillery blocks for 75mm guns and two machine gun blocks. All were camouflaged; the artillery blocks as rock formations and the machine gun blocks as houses. Deactivated as a military post in the 1980s, ever since Fort Vallerbe has been operated as a museum.
Today, the bunkers can be visited during the summer and offer a variety of exhibits about Fort Vallorbe, its past and for the military history enthusiast, its weaponry including missile launchers, machine guns and cannons. Inside, the main lift still works and the bunkers look poised to welcome 200 soldiers once again. Just remember to dress up warmly as even in the heat it can get quite cold within the fort itself.
Outside, the huge artillery guns still swivel around. Use the telescopic sight to aim them across the valley.
For those driving, Fort Vallorbe is just off Switzerland’s motorway 9 at La Day. The steep road leading to the fort is well signposted and the views of the valley cannot fail to impress. Make sure to check the times and dates of tours in advance and be aware that the drive up from Vallorbe takes a little while so leave enough time to get there.
Otherwise, you can get the train into La Day station and walk or get a taxi up to the fort.
]]>Fraumunster was built upon the remains of a former abbey for aristocratic women which was founded by Louis the German for his daughter Hildegard in 853.
In 1045, King Henry III granted the convent a number of privileges, such as the right to hold markets, collect tolls, and mint coins, which effectively made the abbess the ruler of the city.
The convent enjoyed the patronage of kings well into the 13th century, at which point the convent passed into the city of Zurich after the Reformation. The abbey was officially dissolved in 1524.
In 1898, the monastery buildings were destroyed to make room for the new Stadthaus. Though the church was originally Romanesque in style, today it is a predominantly gothic building.
In the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance, Fraumunster is listed as a Class A object of national importance.
Today, the Gothic church is enjoyed by visitors and locals alike as the parish church for one of the city’s 34 reformed parishes. It is one of the most famous buildings in Zurich, with its famous long green steeple punctuating the sky.
Visitors who attend Fraumunster today go to see its Romanesque features. These include 5 large stained glass windows which were installed in 1970, with each featuring a dominant colour and depicting a biblical story, and a rosette in the southern transept.
The organ is another famous feature, with its 5793 pipes making it the largest in the canton of Zurich.
The crypt under the choir was sealed in 1900, but was made public in 2016. Its foundations date back to the 9th century, when the abbey was founded. Inside the crypt is a museum which holds an exhibition of the Reformation in Zurich alongside other information about local architecture and history.
There are a number of church services held there year-round, and admission includes a multilingual audioguide.
Getting to Fraumunster
From the centre of Zurich, Fraumunster is a 10-15 minute scenic walk via the Bahnhofquai and Schipfe or Bahnhofquai and Limmatquai roads. By car, it takes around 5 minutes via the Hirschengraben road. Equally, there is a regular and well-connected tram service – the 13, 4, 7, and 11 – which depart regularly from the city centre and take between 5 and 10 minutes to reach the church.
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