Author: Maarten Koning

Gampelen and Champion in the Grosse Moos

The hamlet at the present-day location of Gampelen (canton of Bern, Champion in French) was relevant in Roman times (13 BC—410 AD) because of the road from Aventicum (today’s Avenches) to Petinesca (today’s Studen). A route led via Gampelen to the Zihlbrücke over the river Zihl (Thielle in French).

Within a few generations, the Celtic inhabitants were Romanised and became Gallo-Romans. After the Romans left in the fifth century, pagan Alemanni migrated to the area.

Between 500 and 700, the population converted to Christianity. The village then belonged to the Frankish kingdoms and empire (seventh century to ninth century) and Burgundian Kingdoms (888-1032). After that, it fell under the Holy Roman Empire and its local rulers.

A document from 1179 mentions the village under Champion (field). The later rule of the French-speaking county of Neuchâtel and the French-speaking duchy of Savoie confirmed this name or its designation Gamplon in 1377.

However, the German-speaking Bern acquired Erlach and hence Gampelen in 1475 and introduced the German name.
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Until the water corrections of the Jura rivers and lakes in the 19th century, the village was in a swampy area with frequent floods. These works made “Grosse Moos” Switzerland’s most important agricultural area.

The construction of the Zihl Canal, the Broye Canal and the Hagneck Canal also positively impacted economic development.

Today, Gampelen is a rustic village between Lake Biel and Lake Neuchâtel.

(Source and further information: Gemeinde Gampelen)

A new Familie of eleven Saint Bernhard Puppies

In March, the Saint Bernard dogs Haïka and Zeus from the “du Grand St. Bernard” kennel of the Fondation Barry in Martigny (canton Valais) became parents of 11 puppies.

Haïka was also born from the Fondation’s breeding programme. Her father, V’Barry, also from the kennel Grand St. Bernard, was crowned World Champion at the World Dog Show in 2023.

With her cheerful and friendly nature, Haïka has a likeable character that she hopefully passed on to her little ones.

The birth did not go as planned. Manuel Gaillard, head of breeding at Fondation Barry, recalls, “Four of the puppies were born naturally; the others had to be delivered by caesarean section shortly afterwards, which is not unusual for breeding dogs.”

The first few days after birth are crucial for their survival and subsequent well-being. All the foundation’s animal carers are on duty to care for them 24 hours a day and relieve the mother.

Photo: Fondation Barry

The four males and seven females will be given pedigrees and names beginning with “T”. In some time, the new owners will provide a name that always starts with “T.” On 25 March, exactly seven years ago, Zaskia du Grand St. Bernard also gave birth to a “T” litter at the kennel—what a happy coincidence.

Since 2005, the Fondation Barry has been committed to preserving and promoting the breeding of this particular breed and its equally unique history. The dogs’ health, character, and fitness are central to the breeding strategy, which this year made it possible to welcome the second litter.

Photo: Fondation Barry

One of the kennel’s quality standards is to support the individual pup in developing social behaviour so that it becomes a friendly dog that remains calm in different situations.

The first life lessons occur right from birth: each puppy is weighed daily to monitor growth. The little ones get used to being picked up and carried. They are also familiar with different voices and everyday sounds as their hearing develops.

The puppies also gradually learn where they can clean themselves so that they are housebroken when they move in with their new owners at ten weeks of age.

The puppies’ first steps can be followed live on Fondation Barry’s website until 6 May, thanks to a webcam. At the age of six weeks, depending on their stage of development, the puppies can be admired in Barryland.

Further information: Fondation Barry

Andrea Zollinger

Chargée de Communication institutionnelle
Projektleiterin Kommunikation

The Abbey of Lutry

The monks of the Benedictine abbey of Savigny-en-Lyonnais (founded in 819 and falling under the archdiocese of Lyon in France) built the Romanesque abbey church of St. Martin in Lutry (canton Vaud) in 1025.

The St. Martin monastery developed into one of the most important abbeys in Vaud. The town of Lutry owes its existence and importance to this abbey.

The church was destroyed by fire in 1344. It was rebuilt in the Gothic style.
Protestant Bern conquered Vaud and Lutry in 1536, and the church became Protestant and was renamed Le Temple.

The western facade was rebuilt in the Renaissance style around 1570. In the ceiling, the Renaissance frescoes by Humbert Mareschet (1520-1593) were made in 1577, half a century after the Reformation. They are Catholic motifs.

This artist came from Catholic Lyon, and the frivolous Renaissance style was probably a protest against the Protestant occupiers of Bern.

Impressions of Lutry