Many
Swiss churches have plain interiors since the Reformation, but there are still
many that are worth a visit and don’t cost anything: they can also tell you a
great deal about the history of Switzerland.
Zürich Grossmünster (ZH) with its
twin towers dominating the skyline was founded by Charlemagne in the late 8th
century on the graves of martyrs Felix and Regula. Here, too, the Reformation
priest Zwingli preached. Visit the crypt, see the cloisters, climb the tower (a
small charge) and note the Romanesque door and the Giacometti windows.
Zürich Fraumünster (ZH) dates back to 853 when King Ludwig
founded the church as a convent for his daughter Hildegard. The Chagall windows
are particularly memorable, and the recently renovated cloisters feature
frescoes telling the city’s early history.
Einsiedeln (SZ) is a fine example of Baroque
architecture and a Benedictine monastery
and pilgrimage site. The church interior is very elaborate and also
contains a statue of a Black Madonna, said to have miraculous powers. The abbey
library can be visited by appointment.
Hofkirche Luzern (LU) Dating
back to the 12th century, this impressive church was rebuilt in the
Renaissance style.
Franciscan Church, Bern (BE) This is
Bern’s oldest church, originally a monastery before it was taken over by the
French Huguenots. The Münster in Bern
is also impressive as a great Gothic cathedral, the tallest church in
Switzerland.
Cathedral Notre- Dame, Lausanne (VD) Another
early Gothic cathedral dating back to the 12th century on a Roman
and Carolingian site. It was formerly a Catholic church which became Protestant
after the Reformation. The tower view is worth a visit.
Münster, Basel (BS) This
monumental cathedral was built in the 8th century, and rebuilt in
the 12th and 14th centuries after an earthquake. During
the Reformation in the 16th century it was stripped of all it
decoration, but some frescoes and stained glass windows remain. The cloisters and crypt are also worth
exploring. The tomb of Erasmus is here.
Botta’s church, Mogno, Locarno (TI) Built in
1990 by the Ticinese architect, this church was built in a tiny hamlet after an
earthquake in 1986. It has a striking marble checkerboard interior.
Kloster Fahr, near Zurich (ZH) A
Benedictine nunnery with 26 nuns still in residence. The garden is beautiful.
Karthause Ittingen (TG) A former
Carthusian monastery, now converted to a conference centre and museum. Entrance
to the beautiful gardens is free, you can see the old roses and the herb
garden, enter the church and the labyrinth, the restaurant is very nice and
prices reasonable, and the shop sells local produce including the famous
Ittinger beer. Near Frauenfeld, ample car parking.
St. John’s Church Mustair (GR). In a
very remote corner of Switzerland, this church is the country’s oldest and is a
Unesco World Heritage Site. Be sure to ring ahead if you plan to visit.
Kappel am Albis (ZH) (Paola)
‘Originally a Cistercian monastery
built in the 11th century. In a beautiful location: amazing view of the
lake of Zug and the Alps (on the good days), and amazing buildings - the church
and cloister are still in the original medieval forms, while the monastery was
rebuilt in the 16th century and has been lovingly restored in recent
times (with the original furniture still there in a very tasteful mix with
some very modern, design pieces).
‘Actually, the monastery has been
brought to a new life as congress centre, but you are free to visit every
corner of this place and open all the doors (unless of course the rooms
are in use for lessons or conferences). They also organize some guided tours of
the whole complex.
‘I love this place: it is so beautiful
and peaceful - and the people running the monastery/conference centre are so
nice (it is not just a commercial thing - you can feel there is more to
it!)
You can also eat in the cellar of the
monastery - they offer quite an interesting menu using the products they grow
themselves (the monastery has farms - like in the monks' times.)’
How to get to Kappel am Albis: the
easiest way is by car, but you can get there also by bus from Affoltern am
Albis, or from Thalwil with a change in Hausen am Albis.
For people interested in Swiss
history: Kappel am Albis was the site of the 16th century wars
between the Protestant and Catholic cantons and the so-called
"Milchsuppe" peace that followed.
Zwingli lived here few years and died
in a farm still there in a village nearby (a visit to this village is well
worth the 10 minutes’ walk from Kappel).
Be your own tour guide!
No
need to pay for an expensive guided tour; you can take a tour of the main
sights in any major Swiss city with the help of a good guide book and a street
map. The following towns are worth a visit: click on the links for extra
information from our members:
Featured town: Basel Altstadt
In
coming weeks, discover these cities - see links on right:
St. Gallen cathedral area
Schaffhausen
Chur
Bellinzona
Murten
Konstanz
Zurich
Zug
Luzern
Bern including Swiss Parliament visit
Bern including Swiss Parliament visit
Plus
why not explore on your own these lovely towns and cities:
Geneva
- see http://www.geneva.info/
Fribourg
– on the French/German language border
Appenzell
– an old-fashioned town
Lugano
– gateway to three lakes
Locarno
– on Lago Maggiore
And
more…
Compiled
by Julia Newton, 2 September 2011. Amended April 2016
With
contributions from Amy Eber, Colin Hawker, Ewelina Pace, Gill Rüttimann, Helga
Meyer-Piening, Lindsey Carver, Otto Schreibke, Paola Cavallari, Sue Poolman,
Trudi MacDonald ,Valerie Quiblier.
