Einsiedeln -
According to legend, Saint Meinrad established a hermitage
on Mount Etzel and established a shrine to the Virgin
Mary which housed a statue of the Virgin. After his death
in 861 at the hands to two robbers, others sought to
emulate his example and work on the monastry began in
934. Now the Baroque Benedictine Monastry boasts a 150
meter façade and an ornate interior. It is one
of the major points of pilgramage in central Europe.
Berner Münster
- The
Berner Münster
is
the largest gothic structure in Switzerland and the
most identifiable feature of the cityscape. While
much of the interior decoration was destroyed during
the iconoclasm of the Reformation, the carved "Last
Judgement" above the central door is a masterpiece
of Gothic art and a story which fitted with Protestant
thinking of the time.
St Gallen - The Abbey of St Gallen boasts not only an impressive Church but also a significant high Baroque Library - one of the most important in Switzerland and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Founded by an Irish monk, Gallus, the library is elaborately decorated and home to several ancient Gaelic-language scripts. The "Plan of St Gall" depicts the original plans for the Abbey and dating from from the 9th Century is one of the oldest documents in the library.
Jesuitenkirche,
Lucerne
- The Jesuit Church is one of the
most beautiful Baroque / Roccoco churches in Switzerland Aside
the Ruess river in central
Lucerne
, the Jesuit Church
is beautifully set with a façade including
wonderful onion domes. The interior is a beautiful
expression of "unified space" theory with
side chapels and a dominating high alter in marble
stucco.
Basler Münster - One of the most important Romanesque-style buildings in Switzerland, the Basler Münster is one of the most substantial historic buildings in Basel city. Built in the Romanesque style, the Basel Münster is one of the most important of its period in Switzerland. The St Gallus Door is one of the most important pieces of Romanesque scultpure in Switzerland and several statues decorate the south facing façade including one of St George slaying the dragon.
Solothurn Cathedral - Like the Old Town, the Solothurner Cathedral is firmly in the Baroque style. As the French Amabasadors to Switzerland were stationed in Schaffhausen the Reformation as the Canton remained Catholic, the Cathedral, like the town, is clearly influenced by the French style of Baroque. A distinctive element on the Schaffhausen skyline, the 18th Century Cathedral is one of the most important buildings in the pure Baroque style in Switzerland
Grossmünster
-
The distinctive Romanesque towers of
Grossmünster
are closely associated with, and symbolise,
Zürich
Founded
by Charlemagne where, according to legend, the martyred
Roman legionaries Felix and Regula are buried. The Reformation
in
Switzerland
started in
Zürich
with
the Einsiedeln-educated Zwingli preaching in
Grossmünster
Lausanne Cathedral - Although Lausanne directly borders Lake Geneva, Lausanne Cathedral is 500 feet above the Lake level and dominates a large portion of the citys skyline. Although construction started in 1175 and consecrated in 1275, the Gothic Cathedral was never completed. It remains the only Cathedral in Europe which still sports a regular night watchman who, at each hour between 10pm and 2am, calls "This is the nightwatch; the hour has struck" in four directions. This has been known to startle romantic couples and drunks rambling home in the vicinity. Lausanne Cathedral is regarded as one of the finest, if not the finest, Gothic construction in Switzerland.
Neuchâtel
Collegial Church - Appropriately for "toytown
made out of butter," the
Neuchâtel
Collegial
Church is made from local yellow-coloured sandstone.
With construction commencing in 1185, it was strongly
influenced by
Lausanne
Cathedral which was being
constructed at the same time and by Basler Münster.
A statue of Guillaum Farel brandishing the scriptures
dominates a small open space in front of the Cathedral.
The Collegial Church is significant in that it shows
the transition from the Romanesque period in the
Apse to the Gothic period in the bulk of the nave.
Close by remains of medieval walls are clearly visible.
Zürich - recommended hotels - Recommended places to stay in and around Zürich city
Basel Fasnacht - display of Fasnacht lanterns - Lanterns of Basler Fasnacht being displayed in Münsterplatz
Zürich - Shopping in the Niederdorf - Shopping in the old Niederdorf district of Zürich
Switzerland - places not to miss - Sixteen places not to miss around Switzerland
Zürich Niederdorf - recommended restaurants, pubs and bars - Recommended restaurants, pubs and bars in Zürich's Niederdorf area
Zürich's 11 best restaurants - The 11 best restaurants around Zürich city
Berne - recommended restaurants - Recommended places to eat and drink in the Swiss capital city Berne
Zürich - recommended pubs and bars - Personally selected and recommended pubs and bars from around Zürich
Zürich - 9 great things to do - 9 great things to do when visiting Zürich, Switzerland
Zürich - a brief history of Fraumünster - A brief history of the elegant Fraumünster church in Zürich
Basel Tourismus - Official website of Basel City Tourism
Bern Tourism - Official website of Bern Tourism
Lausanne Tourisme - Official website of Lausanne Tourism
Lucerne Tourism - Official website of the Lucerne Tourism Office
Neuchâtel Tourism - Official website of Neuchâtel Tourism
Solothurn Tourism - Official website of Solothurn Tourism
St Gallen Bodensee Tourismus - Official website of the St Gallen Bodensee Tourist Board
Zurich Tourism - Official website of Zurich Tourism Board
Name: | Basler Münster |
Address: | Rittergasse 3, CH-4051 Basel |
Name: | Berner Münster |
Address: | Munsterplatz 1, CH-8000 Berne |
Name: | Collegial Church |
Address: | Rue de la Collegiale 3, CH-2000 Neuchatel |
Name: | Grossmünster |
Address: | Grossmünsterplatz, Zürich |
Name: | Jesuit Church |
Address: | Bahnhofstrasse 11, CH-6003 Lucerne |
Name: | Kloster Einsiedeln |
Address: | Kloster Einsiedeln, Einsiedeln |
Name: | Lausanne Cathedral |
Address: | Place de la Cathedrale, Lausanne |
Name: | Solothurn Cathedral |
Address: | St. Ursenkathedrale, 4500 Solothurn |
Name: | St Gallen Abbey |
Address: | Klosterhof, CH-9004 St Gallen |
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook