Julia Hübner01.02.2023It's hard to imagine now, but it actually happened in the winter of 1963. Lake Zurich froze over entirely. The authorities opened the ice on 1 February, and the last public festival on the lake began.
Michael van Orsouw11.02.2022Swedish writer Strindberg suffered such hard times in Switzerland that he took up photography to make ends meet – and during a stay at Lake Lucerne, he produced the first selfies.
Thomas Bürgisser08.09.2021For decades, the communist regime in East Germany made great efforts to establish closer relations with Switzerland. Three weeks after a GDR prime minister visited Bern for the first time, the East German state ceased to exist.
Alexander Rechsteiner06.08.2021On 6 August 1986, Alain Charmey from Vaud became the first person to swim the entire length of Lake Geneva. A press photographer was on the spot to capture the moment.
Andrej Abplanalp28.07.2021Stereoscopics, the three-dimensional depiction of two-dimensional images, captivated viewers across the globe in the 19th century. And the phenomenon helped to cement Switzerland’s status as a highly desirable tourist destination.
Murielle Schlup18.06.2021As a general, Henri Guisan led Switzerland through World War II. His public image alternated between resistance and diligent personal propagandisation. Including censorship!
Aaron Estermann13.05.2021For decades, home stories from the living rooms of the nation’s Federal Councillors have been popular reading material for Mr and Mrs Swiss. A look at the sofas of the past.
Michael van Orsouw12.03.2021Switzerland has played host to sovereigns such as Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Victoria, Sisi and many others – and huge crowds have always turned out to greet these royal personages.