In the spotlight
The Ruins of Farnsburg Castle and the Roman Temple at Grienmatt
The ruins of Farnsburg Castle (Canton of Basel-Landschaft), near the villages of Buus, Ormalingen and Magden, and the ruins of the Roman temple at Grienmatt near Kaiseraugst (Canton of Aargau) are located less than five kilometres apart. The Lords of Farnsburg, however, were unaware of this Roman temple. Likewise, the inhabitants of this first Roman … Read more » “The Ruins of Farnsburg Castle and the Roman Temple at Grienmatt”
In the spotlight
Concilium totius Galliae, Lugdunum, Augusta Raurica, Aventicum and Helvetia
Augustus (63 BC – 14 AD) became the new ruler of the Roman Empire in 31 BC, following a civil war (44–31 BC). However, due to Rome’s centuries-old republican past and the aversion to a monarchy, from 27 BC onwards he styled himself Princeps, first among equals or first citizen. He was no ordinary man, … Read more » “Concilium totius Galliae, Lugdunum, Augusta Raurica, Aventicum and Helvetia”
Events
Surses, Mulegns and the Weisse Turm in the running for an Oscar?
The Surses (canton of Graubünden) is a valley where stories and history are captured in houses, façades, Grand Hotels and other premises. The valley lies along an ancient mountain pass. Anyone travelling through here is following in the footsteps of the Raetians and the Romans. That is why Romansh (Surmiran Idiom) is also spoken in … Read more » “Surses, Mulegns and the Weisse Turm in the running for an Oscar?”
Commemorations
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Badischer Bahnhof and Paris-Basel
Just a few months after the end of the Second World War, they built the first temporary runway near Mulhouse (Alsace) in a short time. On 2 May 1946, the first civil aircraft landed, and the airport officially opened a few days later, on 8 May 1946. The connection Basel-Mulhouse-Paris And on 7 October 2026, … Read more » “EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, Badischer Bahnhof and Paris-Basel”
Monuments
Schenkenberg Castle, Bern and the Canton of Aargau
From the 13th to the 15th century, various noble families made Schenkenberg Castle their seat. From 1460 until it was abandoned in 1720, it served as the Bernese bailiff’s seat. The main keep stood at the highest point of the site. It consisted of the main tower, the shield wall (die Schildmauer, see also Farnsburg … Read more » “Schenkenberg Castle, Bern and the Canton of Aargau”
Latest news
The founding of Canton of Basel-Landschaft in 1833 and SAC in 1863
21 October 2026
Bad Bubendorf (Canton of Basel-Landschaft) is the place where, on 18 October 1830, the movement took shape that led to the secession of the Canton of Basel in 1833. In Bad Bubendorf, a hamlet and spa town near Bubendorf, the first meetings took place in 1830, leading to independence from Basel-Landschaft in 1833. However, the … Read more » “The founding of Canton of Basel-Landschaft in 1833 and SAC in 1863”
Agenda
Gertrud Dübi-Müller and her Passions for Art and Life
7 October 2026
Gertrud Dübi-Müller (1888-1980) was one of Switzerland’s foremost art collectors, a passionate photographer, driver of motorcars, and mountaineer, and she sat for Ferdinand Hodler and other artists. The Kunstmuseum Basel presents the first extensive exhibition dedicated to her. Ferdinand Hodler (1853-1918), picture of Gertrud Müller, 1911. Kunstmuseum Solothurn – Dübi-Müller-Stiftung Around eighty works by renowned … Read more » “Gertrud Dübi-Müller and her Passions for Art and Life”
Constitution, Democracy, cantons
What Permafrost and Bilaterals III Have in Common
2 October 2026
Permafrost is causing the Swiss mountains to collapse. The planned new agreement with the European Union undermines not only direct democracy, trust in institutions, and the sovereignty of the cantons, but also the connecting elements of Switzerland’s successful decentralised, federal model based on subsidiarity. It could hardly be more symbolic. Perhaps nature has a very … Read more » “What Permafrost and Bilaterals III Have in Common”
Local history
The Villages Ormalingen and Buus near the Farnsburg
4 October 2026
Two small villages near the Farnsburg Castle tell the story of this castle, once called the ‘Queen of Castles’ in this region. Time has passed by, but the links are still clearly visible. Ormalingen The village of Ormalingen has always had close ties to the Farnsburg. The village’s coat of arms commemorates its former inhabitants, … Read more » “The Villages Ormalingen and Buus near the Farnsburg”
Nature and Tourism
Two villages, two cantons, the Diocese of Basel, Angenstein Castle and the SAC
21 October 2026
On 14 March 1194, Pope Celestine III (1106–1198) confirmed to the Beinwil Abbey all its present and future possessions, including those of the village of Büren, which was mentioned for the first time. A little later, on 1 February 1196, he also confirmed farms and estates in Büren to the Cathedral Chapter of Basel. Büren … Read more » “Two villages, two cantons, the Diocese of Basel, Angenstein Castle and the SAC”