Towers, spires, turrets – Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Lausanne has it all. It is considered the most beautiful Gothic building in Switzerland. And, it is the largest. The foundation was laid in the 12th century and construction continued through the 13th century. A colorful 13th century 105-panel rose window adorns the south side and flying buttresses […]
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Musée Photo, Vevey
If you’re at all interested in photography, the Musée Photo is a must-see. This is the most comprehensive photography museum I’ve seen, covering equipment, techniques and inventors through the annals of photography. Every type of equipment is displayed, from camera obscura to the magic lantern to incarnations of modern digital cameras. Seeing cameras from your […]
Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève
The Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Genève is a mishmash of structures and styles. Part of what we see today was built in the 12th century on remains dating from 350 A.D. Walls, rooms and mosaic floors from the earlier time have been discovered beneath the cathedral. In the late-14th century, a small side-chapel, the Chapelle des […]
Auditoire de Calvin, Geneva
It’s fitting that Calvin’s namesake chapel is so austere. This single-nave chapel played an important role in the Protestant Reformation. From 1536, the auditorium was a lecture hall where Calvin espoused his theories (Geneva accepted the Reformation in 1535). When Protestant refugees flocked to Geneva from all over Europe, they were encouraged to conduct services […]
Maison Tavel, Geneva
Maison Tavel is Geneva’s oldest house. It was built by the Tavel family in the 12th century and was renovated after a fire in the 14th century. Today the house is a museum that details Geneva’s history. In addition to historical items such as doors and signs and other daily life memorabilia, there is a […]
Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo, Ascona
Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo is not only the center of Ascona’s old town, but its high campanile adorned with a baroque version of the town’s coat of arms is the skyline. The building we see today has been around since the 16th century and is the result of the original 13th-century structure’s enlargement. […]
Chiesa di Sant’Antonio, Locarno
Chiesa di Sant’Antonio was originally built in the 14th century, but the current structure dates back only to the 19th century, when it was rebuilt after a fatal roof collapse that killed 47 congregants. Inside, there’s a single nave with several side chapels featuring works by local painters. Corinthian pillars support the ceiling. This church […]
Chiesa Nuova di Locarno
17th-century Chiesa Nuova fronts right onto the street, startling passersby with its enormous statue of Saint Christopher. Though he is represented with a larger-than-life physique, unfortunately he has disproportionally small feet. The baroque church has a stuccoed ceiling with meticulous details including gilded scallops, elaborate scrollwork and cherubs. The side door opens into a serene […]
Castello Visconteo, Locarno
You can’t miss this as you wander through tiny Locarno. This fortified castle was originally built in the 10th century. The castle changed hands many times and was occupied by the Milanese Visconti clan in the 14th century. It was taken by French forces in the 15th century and the castle and town fell to […]
Santuario della Madonna del Sasso
Locarno’s main sight, Santuario della Madonna del Sasso, sits partway up a steep hill and therefore requires a bit of effort to reach. Monk Bartolomeo d’Ivrea built this sanctuary in 1480 after the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to him in a vision. Though there is a funicular that runs to the sanctuary, you still have […]
