Forget the glitzy Swiss lakeside or mountaintop resorts, the 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the real Swiss treasures. Wherever you are in Switzerland, you are bound to be close to one of these Swiss treasures thanks to the extensive Swiss public transport system, network of tunnels and the way they happen to be scattered throughout the country. Some are found near cities, or in places popular with tourists while others are much more remote and need a bit more effort to reach, however, it’s still worth adding them to your itinerary as the surrounding regions are also extraordinary.

The 10 Cultural Heritage Sites

1. Abbey of St. Gall

A bit of history . . .

The Irish monk Gallus laid the Abbey’s foundation stone in 612. Around 100 years later, the monastery adopted the rule of Saint Benedict and transformed it into an important centre for writing activities and book illumination. Over time, the library became one the best stocked and oldest libraries in the world – now under the care of the Abbey District, who look after the archives, the library and the cathedral.

Why a World Heritage Site?

The decision to make this Abbey complex into a UNESCO World Heritage site was down to the rich traditions and the well-preserved collections that date back to the 8th Century.

The Abbey Library

The Abbey Library at St. Gallen, photo by Switzerland Tourism

The Abbey‘s lavish Rococo library is full of treasures. Not only is it a feast for the eyes, but it also is home to around 170,000 books and some of the most important collections of medieval manuscripts in Europe – ones you may have heard about in history class for example. This collection dates back 1300 years – to when the abbey was originally founded.

In the middle of the 18th century, the abbots started a cabinet of curiosities with a collection of art, science and nature. The collection includes paintings, astronomical instruments and fossils. One example that takes pride of place is a huge terrestrial and celestial globe (1571), which is part of the ‘East India Collection’. Later additions, that stand out when you wander around the library, are the Egyptian mummies (7th century BC) which have to be seen to be believed.

Visiting the Library

The admission ticket, which is valid for three exhibitions, is recommended to be bought at the ticket office in the exhibition hall.

2. Benedictine Convent of St. John in Müstair

Müstair

Müstair village is tucked far away in the Val Müstair, found deep in the most eastern part of Graubünden, close to the border with Italy. In the local Romansch, the language unique to Graubünden, Müstair is equivalent to Minster in English – both correspond to the word monastery.

The Monastery Complex

The monastery complex was founded in the 8th Century and is steeped in legend and mystery. According to a well-known legend, Charlemagne was responsible for the founding of the convent. It is said that he was so grateful for his survival after walking away unharmed from a large snowstorm in the area, that he gave instructions for the monastery to be constructed. This complex has only been partially destroyed over the centuries and now has building styles and art treasures from several eras. Nuns have lived in the convent since the 12th century. Convent life, cultivation, the museum and the restoration come together, turning this site into something very special.

Convent Museum

The convent’s museum can be found in the monastery’s fortified Planta Tower (10th century). It holds over 1200 years of art and cultural history within its walls. The Benedictine nuns of Müstair also allow visitors a glimpse inside the convent to see their daily life.

Museum visit

The museum is very atmospheric, giving an authentic peek into the convents past, starting in the cloister, then going through to the vast cellar of the Planta Tower before continuing up three floors. A ‘convent within the convent’ is housed in the tower and has living areas, sleeping quarters and prayer areas.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

A deciding factor for listing the complex as a UNESCO World Heritage Site was down to the wonderfully preserved frescos found in the convent church which dates back to the early middle ages. These are considered to be one of the largest and best-preserved fresco cycles around today.

3. Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes

Found in canton Graubünden, the Rhaetian Railway brings together two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss Alps through two passes – Albula and Bernina.

Albula Pass Line

Opened in 1904, the Albula line in the northwestern part is 67 km long and features an impressive set of structures including 42 tunnels, covered galleries and 144 viaducts and bridges.

Bernina Pass Line

The 61 km Bernina pass line winds its way through 13 tunnels and galleries and over 52 viaducts and bridges.

Achievements

The railway was built to overcome the isolation of settlements in the Central Alps early in the 20th century. Today these two lines are now a single transalpine line.

The complete Rhaetian Line shows outstanding technical, architectural, environmental and civil engineering achievements which have resulted in the railway lines staying in harmony with the natural landscapes they pass through.

This description was sourced by text from whc.unesco.org, under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0.

Bernina Express & Glacier Express Panorama Trains

Good to Know: A great opportunity to discover the World Heritage line and visit some incredible landscapes is to travel on the Bernina Express panorama train. This service runs all year from Chur to Thusis, then along the World Heritage route, through to the Poschiavo Valley with its dramatic alpine scenery, and then on to Tirano, Italy. The Glacier Express runs from Zermatt, through the Rheinschlucht (known as the Grand Canyon of Switzerland), with various stops, then finally down through the Albula Pass – running for 10 months of the year (no service from mid-Oct to mid-Dec).

The line of the Rhaetian railway between Thusis and Tirano (Italy) – World Heritage route.

4. Old city of Berne

Bern’s old town status as a World Heritage site is down to its impressive town planning along with the continuous restoration and protection of the medieval structure and buildings.

Bern’s Historical Centre

The city of Bern was built in the 12th Century on a hillside surrounded by the Aare River. It was developed with a special design made up of long rows of buildings, shaped to fit into the curve of the river. 15th-century arcades and 16th-century fountains were added and, in the 18th Century, most of the medieval centre was restored but, luckily, it has retained its original character which includes the many elegant arches that can be found throughout.

Nowadays, the old town of Bern has the longest covered shopping arcade in Europe – great news for rainy days!

The Mighty Bear

You will probably discover the symbol of Bern quite quickly – the mighty bear. It’s found on the canton’s flag, the sides of buildings and in the souvenir shops, in fact, bears have been kept in Bern for hundreds of years, finally moved from the city to Bear Pits on the banks of the Aare river in 1857… This controversial home finally changed in 2009 when a large park was built for them. The much-needed new habitat is designed on several levels and includes a section of the riverbank, leafy green spaces, tunnels and caves for hibernation. You can see them from high up on the Nydegg Bridge (at the end of the old town) or close up from the park. For more information and webcams go to the park’s website here.

Zytglogge (clock tower)

This iconic clock tower has been around for centuries and has had many uses, including a prison.

Every hour, on the hour, there is a display of dancing bears, a court jester and a rooster doing their thing on the outside of the clock tower – attracting crowds of tourists to this part of the old town in summer.

Clock Tower Tour

The inside isn’t open for individual visits but it’s possible to do a 1-hour tour to see the inner workings and learn about its past. Public tours don’t run daily and are limited to once a week in winter, so it pays to check out the website and book before going. Good to Know: There are 130 steps to the top but you are rewarded with a view of Bern’s old town, and the Alps (weather permitting).

5. Three castles of Bellinzona

The medieval castles of Bellinzona – Castelgrande, Montebello and Sasso Corbaro – have been listed as a Swiss UNESCO World Heritage since 2000. They are found in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, south of the Alps and are impossible to miss when passing through. Castelgrande sits on a rocky peak with fortified walls running from the castle, built to protect the ancient town and block passage through the valley. The castle of Montebello was built as part of this fortification, whereas Sasso Corbaro stands alone on another rocky high point.

A bit of history

Bellinzona occupied a strategic position between north and south which is the reason these castles were built in the first place. The Dukes of Milan went to a lot of trouble to bar the Swiss from travelling south into his territory.

Over the centuries, the castles have been reconstructed and restored many times. Evidence has been found that fortifications were built on this site in the 4th Century B.C, however, the three castles and their walls were constructed in the 14th Century.

Good to Know:  There was once an Alpine Arc of medieval military architecture comprising of several castles, linked by a wall that once closed off the whole Ticino Valley for the protection of the civilian population. The Swiss Confederates must have been quite a threat for them to go to such lengths. These castles and fortifications are the only remaining visible evidence of this Arc.

6. Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces

The vineyard terraces spread out on the steep slopes above Lake Geneva were originally created during the 11th century by monks. Generations of wine growers have been taking care of them ever since. The original terraces and stone walls that stretch for over 30 km have been carefully preserved, fitting seamlessly into the steep, wide slopes that rise up from the soft blue waters of Lake Geneva.

Vineyards and seeing the Villages

Known as the Lavaux vineyards, the UNESCO vineyard terraces are found between Lausanne and Montreux and are home to 14 unspoiled villages. Residents of this area have been working together in harmony with the landscape for hundreds of years.

The vineyards benefit from the “three suns” – the sun itself, the sun’s rays reflected by the lake and the warmth stored in the walls of the vineyards.

There are networks of walking and biking trails as well as panorama, express and local train lines that snake their way across the landscape.

Some good ways to experience the area are:

Lavaux UNESCO Vineyard Walk

This 10 km circular walk links the region’s villages of Chexbres, Saint-Saphorin, Rivax and Epesses and can be started from any of the villages’ train stations. For more information go to the Vaud Tourism website which offers both a detailed map and guide to the walk, or you can download the Vaud: Guide – a free app that guides you around the route. The App also offers informative tidbits along the way and doesn’t require an internet connection – GPS is used.

You can hop on/off the regional train line that runs along Lake Geneva, shortening the circuit at Saint-Saphorin, Rivaz or Epesses. 

Length and recommended time

Just over 10 km. Allow for around five hours – (walking and stops).

Fitness level and accessibility

Accessible to people with average fitness – the paths are all paved and are pushchair and wheelchair friendly although there are some steep parts.

Lavaux Express

When I think of express, I think of the fast, sleek Eurocity trains that whizz through this region from Geneva to the Valais region and then onwards to Italy.

The Lavaux Express is not that kind of express, instead, it is a small, open tourist ‘train’ with wheels that makes its way around narrow roads up amongst the vines – stopping regularly. During the journey, passengers hear about the region’s history, the vineyards, the characteristics that make it ideal for viticulture, and, of course, this trip offers plenty of spectacular views.

Good to Know: They still run on rainy days by using protective sheets, but the driver can cancel if the weather becomes stormy.

Some possible Excursions

• Circular trips lasting 1 hour leave several times a day.
• Caveau Train, which is all about wine tasting, visits one of the local vineyards for a 45-minute wine-tasting experience. It runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, leaving early evening. The duration is 2 hours. For operating times (2021 times – May to mid-Sept) visit the Lavaux Express website (below).
• Autumn market train in October for the Sunday markets in the village of Aran.

For seasonal dates, schedule and reservation (recommended) and FAQ go to the website Lavaux Express.

Regional Trains

The regional train service passes through the towns of Epesses, Rivaz, Saint-Saphorin, Vevey then Vevey to Chexbres offering a great sightseeing alternative. Visit sbb.ch for more information. This website also offers maps for each service – in the timetable page add from/to then click on the departure time. The map link is shown in the This Connection box. It‘s a great way to visualise the villages and train lines.

The blue and yellow trains that service the Vevey to Chexbres section are known as “Le Train des Vignes” – the Wine Trains. These trains link Vevey to Puidoux via Chexbres and run hourly in each direction, taking about 15 minutes.

Good to Know: Vevey, an attractive lakeside town in its own right, was once home to Charlie Chapman. There is now a museum on his former country estate called Chaplin’s World.

7. La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning

Tucked between the hills north of Neuchâtel, the two towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle really stand out. At first glance, they look a bit too uniform and stark with their grid-like design and uniform sized houses.

However, once you get into the towns themselves, you really see the dedication and craftsmanship that has gone into the construction of the buildings. If you would prefer museums, then visit the Espace de l’Urbanisme Horloger for a brief history of the town or the International Museum of time (Musée International d’Horlogerie) – the largest timekeeping collection in the world.

What’s so special about these two towns

The towns of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle were reconstructed in the 19th Century solely for the watchmaking industry after both towns were badly damaged by fires. Many of the buildings have a combination of living quarters, workshops and offices.

They have been designated World Heritage sites in recognition of the watch-making industry successfully shaping and preserving the two towns to survive and thrive on only one manufacturing industry.

Some watch-making experiences found in the towns

• Free multi-media exhibition about the watchmaking town planning – Espace de l’urbanisme horloger found in La Chaux-de-Fonds. According to the town’s website, this is a good place to start before touring the town.
• Tourist train that travels through Le Locle from June to September, with commentary in English, French and German. (Doesn’t run in bad weather).
• Musée International D’Horlogerie: The largest timekeeping collection in the world dedicated to the history of clock making with over 4,500 exhibits. Includes clocks, watches and tools from the 16th century.

8. Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps

The series of pile dwelling sites are one of the most important archaeological sources for the study of early agrarian societies in Europe between 5,000 and 500 BC. The waterlogged conditions have preserved organic matter, helping with research & study of the Neolithic and Bronze Age history of Europe.

From the neolithic age to the Bronze age (between 4,400 & 750 BC) there were many settlements on the lakeshore and in bogs in the alpine regions. The simple houses were built on the shorelines with raised floors due to the regular flooding and waterlogged ground. A large concentration of these pile dwellings has been discovered on the shorelines of Lakes Neuchâtel, Murten (Morat) and Bielersee (Bienne).

Laténium Archaeological Museum & Park

The Laténium covers various stages of human evolution, starting from when Neanderthal man walked the earth, up to the Renaissance time in the middle ages. This archaeological park uses videos, models, sounds and items found by archaeologists in the area. There are also two large exhibits on display – a re-creation of a Bronze-Age House and a Roman flat-bottomed boat.

By visiting the room dedicated to these lake dwellings, you can immerse yourself into the everyday lives of the people that lived in these bronze and neolithic age settlements.

9. The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier

Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris (known as Le Corbusier), architect, town planner, painter and writer, was born in La Chaux-de-Fonds on October 6, 1887.

Corbusier first trained at the town’s school of art in 1902 where he became interested in architecture. He continued to train and learn while travelling around Europe including visits to Paris, Vienna, Berlin and Turkey.

During the 1920s, he became one of the most influential architects and urban planners of his century. In 1957 he was made a citizen of honour in his hometown, La Chaux-de-Fonds.
If you want to discover Le Corbusier’s work pop into the information centre in La Chaux-de-Fonds for a guide to the locations of his first architectural works.  In particular, the Villa Schwob or Turkish Villa, the Villa Jeanneret-Perret or White House (villa built for his parents) and the Villa Favre-Jacot in Le Locle all show different styles and designs he picked up when travelling around Europe.

The King of the concrete highrise

His theories lay the foundation for the Bauhaus Movement which was responsible for a burst of creativity that spread to places like Antwerp, Algiers, Stuttgart and Rio de Janeiro.

This group of architects are the main players behind the growth of giant concrete office blocks and high-rise apartments that can be seen on the horizons of many cities.

Later in his career, Corbusier moved to a more sculptural type of architecture. One of his last projects was the Carpenter Center at Harvard University.

Le Corbusier’s Failing

Unfortunately, as a strong supporter of far-right politics, Le Corbusier had a darker side. This has recently been acknowledged with several books published on his life and character. Two of the more critical books are: Le Corbusier, a cold vision of the world, by Marc Perelman and Un Corbusier, by Francois Chaslin.

The 3 Natural World Heritage Sites

1. Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona

Unesco World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona – This area is as impressive as the name suggests. You can witness the incredible power and monumental forces that nature is capable of. Found in the cantonal border areas of Saint Gallen, Glarus & Graubünden, the Arena extends over more than 300 square kilometres. You can either do a tour with an expert or experience this area independently – go to unesco-sardona.ch for information.

The Glarus Overthrust

The Tectonic arena was formed by older rock from 250-300 million years ago being thrust up over much younger rock (35-50 million years ago). These rock formations, called the “Glarus overthrust”, demonstrate the power and movement of plate tectonics.

Interactive map created by unesco-sardona.ch

This is a great map to get an idea of the area and where you can go to learn more and view the arena’s dramatic scenery. The

• interesting sights and viewpoints
• geographic operations in the region
• Points of interest reached by foot

The descriptions are all in german (Blick translates as View) however, they do have links to various pages and hikes – some may also need translating.

Most of the walks with good vantage points are more challenging so it is better to consult the information centres first before attempting them.

Tschinglen Cable Car – Elm

A great way to get straight to the heart of the arena!! The Tschinglen Gondola is open from Mid May to Mid October. Here is a link to the website (in german).

The Pizol 5-Lake Hike and Panorama walk

A much loved and popular Swiss excursion is the wonderful Pizol 5-lakes hike (done and loved it), on the western side of the Arena. The trail leads through a high plateau (2222 – 2507 metres) past 5 crystal-clear mountain lakes, with views as far away as Lake Constance in the northeast. The trail is open from July – Oct, although in winter it is possible to do the shorter Panorama trail as long as the Pizol cable cars and chair lifts are running. The starting point is from the top of the Wangs/Furt Gaffia cable car and chair lift.

2. Monte San Giorgio – “Mountain of Reptiles”

The wooded mountain of Monte San Giorgio beside Lake Lugano is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (245–230 million years ago), recording life in a tropical lagoon environment with different kinds of marine life flourishing, including reptiles and fish. Because the lagoon was near land, the remains include land-based fossils of reptiles, insects and plants, resulting in an extremely rich source of fossils.

UNESCO World Heritage Description, available under license CC-BY-SA IGO 3.0

Fossil Museum of Monte San Giorgio
Meride, Ticino

The Museum of Fossils, found at the southern end of Monte San Giorgio, was open to the public in 2012 with modern and eye-catching displays spread over four floors. This is the best place to find fossils from the mountain and get a glimpse of what life was like a few hundred million years ago. Local architect – Mario Botta designed the museum and was also responsible for designing some astounding creations found around the world.

Made up of fossilized animals and plants from Monte San Giorgio, the exhibits include fish and reptiles from 240 million years ago – when the area was a subtropical sea basin. The careful preservation of the skeletons has made this mountain world-famous for its natural heritage.

Trails around the mountain

A trail around the mountain has information panels and provides views of the rocks and excavations where fossils have been found.

Percorso Murat Pelit is a new 3.7 km trail for people with motor disabilities. Ticino-born Murat Pelit is a member of the Swiss Paralympic ski team amongst other achievements. His association, Ti-Rex Sport in conjunction with Medrisiotto Turismo, opened up a route for handbikes on Monte San Giorgio in May 2021.

The trail winds through woodland and has been tailored for use by three-wheeled mountain bikes which can be operated by hand. The circular tour departs from the Hotel Serpiano where the special bikes are also available for hire. This special trail and the bikes can be used by anyone interested in having a go.

3. Swiss Alps – Jungfrau Aletsch Glacier

This part of the European Alps, one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in the world, is home to well-known mountains such as Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The Aletsch glacier is part of this landscape, taking up 824 km² of space close to the mountain’s peaks, it slowly edging its way from one side of the alps to another. According to the UNESCO World Heritage website, it is the largest glacier in Eurasia and is considered a natural wonder because of its beauty and the information it contains on the formation of mountains and glaciers. This Jungfrau-Aletsch website is great for facts and figures, information and videos.

Some of the reasons for the UNESCO classification:

• The area is home to a wide range of alpine and sub-alpine habitats.
• Ecosystems have evolved without significant human intervention.
• Almost all of the area is under some form of legal protection.
• It plays an important role in the study of climate change.

How to view the Aletsch Glacier

From the Bernese Oberland region –

Good to Know: Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres.

From the southern side – Valais

The chair lifts and cable cars called – Riederalp, Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp can be reached from the Rhône Valley. From there they go to car-free villages and finally up to the viewing platforms, panorama walks and hiking tracks close to the glacier. See my own experience of a short hike by visiting – How to Experience the Awe-Inspiring Aletsch Glacier- My Valais Experience.

Acknowledgements:

Heading photo: Tschingelhörner ­©IG Tektonikarena Sardona, Foto: Ruedi Homberger