Royal Murder at Lenzburg
The Lenzburg castle has a dark history, with one of its former owners, Johannes Parricida, being involved in the murder of King Albrecht in 1308.
Lenzburg Castle · · 💀 Dark history
Discover 60 curated stories about Baden in Switzerland — covering hidden gems, dark history, legends, weird facts and funny anecdotes.
The Lenzburg castle has a dark history, with one of its former owners, Johannes Parricida, being involved in the murder of King Albrecht in 1308.
Lenzburg Castle · · 💀 Dark history
The Roman vicus was burned down by the 21st Legion in AD 69, during the conflicts of the Year of the Four Emperors, and was later rebuilt in stone. The town's wooden buildings were destroyed, but it…
Roman Vicus · · 💀 Dark history
Erzherzog Wilhelm von Österreich died in a riding accident on July 29, 1894, in what is now Helenenstraße. A memorial was erected in his honor, with the inscription 'The memory of the righteous will…
Helenenstraße · · 💀 Dark history
The Kraftwerk Turgi, a historic power plant, was built in 1828 and has been in operation for over 190 years, making it one of the oldest continuously operating power plants in the world.
Kraftwerk Turgi · · 🏛️ Legendary
A treasure trove of over 700 Brakteaten coins was discovered in Eschikofen, a town in the Thurgau region, in 1911. The coins were found scattered on a steep slope, and it's believed they were hidden…
Eschikofen · · 🔍 Hidden gems
In 1603, a couple, Jacob Leringerst and his wife, held a second wedding ceremony, inviting the city's dignitaries, despite being poor. The bride wore a maiden's wreath, and the groom wore a garland l…
Basel · · 🤯 Weird
In 1372, the wine was so cheap that a measure cost only 1 Schilling, and 4 measures could be bought for 1 Pfennig. The same year, a religious dispute arose, and the Catholic Church complained about t…
Basel · · 🤯 Weird
The Lauchetal valley was once home to a thriving textile industry, with the Baumwollspinnerei Lauchetal factory playing a significant role. However, the area's history is also marked by a darker even…
Lauchetal valley · · 💀 Dark history
In the 16th century, the Effinger family, who lived in Wildegg Castle, experienced a series of tragic events, including the death of Christoff II, who lost his castle to a fire, and the loss of sever…
Wildegg Castle · · 💀 Dark history
Leutnant Bider, a Swiss aviator, was known for his daring flights and was even approached by students from the Harder-Gymnasium who wanted to learn more about him for a school assignment. He was the…
Kornhausbrücke · · 🏛️ Legendary
In the 19th century, a father was taken away from his children, Susanna and Klärchen, and imprisoned for playing with Vogtsgeldern, a severe punishment that left the children alone and helpless. The…
Der Rosenhof · · 💀 Dark history
Heinrich Zeller's father, Johann Heinrich, was a military man who rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the artillery. He and a friend from Schwyz made a pact to remember their friendship if they…
Sonderbund War battlefield · · 🏛️ Legendary
Richard Wagner composed parts of his famous opera 'Die Walküre' in a small house near the 'grüner Hügel' in the Enge area, and even dedicated the short prelude to his friend Mathilde Wesendonk with t…
Enge · · 🏛️ Legendary
Mathilde Wesendonk's husband, Otto, gifted Wagner an American gold fountain pen, which Wagner used to write the entire orchestral score of 'Die Walküre', a true masterpiece of calligraphy.
Enge · · 🏛️ Legendary
Wagner played parts of Beethoven's 'Eroica' and 'C-moll-Sinfonie' on a small instrument in a dining room in Brunnen during a joint outing with Mathilde Wesendonk, and greeted her with 'Lohengrin' mel…
Brunnen · · 🏛️ Legendary
On the Albrechtsstraße, a peculiar encounter took place between a young Leutnant and a high-ranking General. The General, despite his superior rank, showed unusual deference to the Leutnant, who was…
Albrechtsstraße · · 🏛️ Legendary
The Stein, a rocky outcrop above the Klus, was the site of a noble residence as early as the 11th century. It was later acquired by the Kyburgers and then the Habsburgs, who used it as a seat of admi…
Stein · · 💀 Dark history
The Bernerhaus in Baden has a rich history, having served as a residence for Bern's delegates from the 15th to the 18th century. By 1714, it was home to the French ambassador Charles-François de Vint…
Bernerhaus · · 🏛️ Legendary
The Grand Hôtel in Baden was the first building in the city to be permanently powered by electricity in 1882. This innovative feature helped attract a wealthy international clientele. However, its su…
Grand Hôtel · · 🏛️ Legendary
The Kornhaus in Baden was once used as a barracks during the Helvetic Republic and even had a prison workshop on its top floor from 1843 to 1851, where inmates worked before the nearby prison burned…
Kornhaus · · 💀 Dark history
The Ruine Stein, a medieval fortress, was destroyed by the Eidgenossen in 1415 and later rebuilt as a fortification from 1657 to 1670, only to be demolished again in 1712 after the Second Villmerger…
Ruine Stein · · 💀 Dark history
Gemellianus, a Roman metalworker, produced intricately designed metal fittings for dagger scabbards in the 2nd century, which were found in various locations across the Roman Empire, including August…
Aquae Helveticae · · 🏛️ Legendary
The Schlossbergtunnel in Baden was the first railway tunnel in Switzerland, built in 1846-47 as part of the Zürich-Baden railway line.
Schlossbergtunnel · · 🏛️ Legendary
The St.-Anna-Kapelle was once used as a hospital for lepers and other outcasts, and its chapel was built to provide spiritual care to these marginalized groups.
St.-Anna-Kapelle · · 💀 Dark history
The St.-Anna-Kapelle's interior was once decorated with neogothic elements, but they were removed in 1945, revealing hidden frescoes from the 15th century.
St.-Anna-Kapelle · · 🔍 Hidden gems
The Aarauer Bachfischet has been celebrated for almost 500 years, making it one of the oldest continuous traditions in Switzerland. The festival originates from the annual cleaning of the Aarauer Sta…
Aarau · · 🏛️ Legendary
A kayaker discovered a remarkably well-preserved woolly mammoth tooth on the banks of the Limmat River in Baden, estimated to be over 18,000 years old.
Limmat River · · 🤯 Weird
A gigantic nest of the invasive Asian hornet was discovered on a house wall in Baden, shocking local pest control experts with its unusual location and massive size.
Baden · · 🤯 Weird
A 60-year-old woman from Baden was fined 600 francs for sharing a Facebook post warning about a speed camera on Rohrdorferberg-Reusstal, an act that has been illegal since 2010.
Rohrdorferberg-Reusstal · · 😂 Funny
A woman in Baden was fined 600 francs for not paying 85 cents for a pastry at an Aldi store, despite claiming it was an honest mistake with the self-checkout machine.
Aldi store · · 😂 Funny
A same-sex couple was kicked out of the Badeparadies Schwarzwald for sharing a kiss, sparking a viral video and accusations of discrimination.
Badeparadies Schwarzwald · · 💀 Dark history
A massive boulder, estimated to weigh around 2.5 to 3 tons, suddenly came loose from a hill and blocked the road between Turgi and Baden, narrowly avoiding any accidents or injuries.
Road between Turgi and Baden · · 🤯 Weird
A local politician, Till Schmid, spent his Christmas holidays counting parking spots in Baden and discovered 200 more than previously thought, bringing the total to 1597 oberirdischen Parkplätzen.
Baden · · 😂 Funny
The city of Baden was a major political center for several centuries, hosting sessions of the Federal Diet from 1424 to 1712. This significant historical event took place near the ruins of the Stein…
Stein Castle · · 🏛️ Legendary
The first entirely Swiss railway line, known as the 'Spanisch-Brötlibahn', was inaugurated in 1847 between Baden and Zurich. This marked a significant milestone in the development of Baden, ensuring…
Baden Railway Station · · 🏛️ Legendary
The city of Baden has a long history of thermal springs, which were already utilized by the Romans. The springs, known as 'Aquae Helveticae', were a popular destination in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Thermal Springs · · 🔍 Hidden gems
In Baden, the closing of the monasteries in Wettingen and Muri, founded by the Habsburgs in the 16th century, contributed to the outbreak of the Sonderbund War in 1847.
Wettingen and Muri monasteries · · 💀 Dark history
The Alfred-Grünwald-Ruhe memorial was dedicated to the composer and pianist Alfred Grünwald, but its inscription was destroyed in 1938 for political reasons. It was reinstalled in 1991.
Alfred-Grünwald-Ruhe · · 💀 Dark history
The Corps de garde de la pointe de Locmiquel is a historic guardhouse with an uncertain history, leaving visitors to wonder about its past.
Corps de garde de la pointe de Locmiquel · 🔍 Hidden gems
The Kaiser-Franz-Joseph-Museum is located in a historic building on Hochstraße 51, which was once a residence for the Habsburg family. The museum showcases a collection of artifacts and exhibits rela…
Kaiser-Franz-Joseph-Museum · 🏛️ Legendary
The Villa Hahn, located on Weilburgstraße 83-85, was designed by renowned architect Otto Wagner and features a unique blend of Art Nouveau and modern styles. The villa is now a protected historic lan…
Villa Hahn · 🏛️ Legendary
During the Revolution, the Brugg community suffered greatly, with capital stocks like the Challwyl'sche Pflege and the Horstamt Scholz-Pflege disappearing or significantly decreasing in value. The co…
Brugg · · 💀 Dark history
The Brugg community forest was severely damaged during the Revolution, with widespread logging and neglect leading to a significant decline in timber production. By 1800-1804, the forest was producin…
Brugg · · 💀 Dark history
In 1656, Herdern Castle was attacked by soldiers and important documents went missing. As of 1656, the cause of the loss remained undetermined.
Herdern Castle · · 💀 Dark history
Hans Kaspar von Breitenlandenberg, the owner of Herdern Castle, complained about the loss of documents during the attack in 1656. This event highlights the turbulent history of the castle.
Herdern Castle · · 💀 Dark history
The Brakteaten coins found in Eschikofen are a rare type of coin that was minted in the 13th century. They feature unique designs, such as a bishop's head between a pedum and a lily, and are consider…
Eschikofen · · 🏛️ Legendary
In 1604, a harsh winter caused the Undersee to freeze over, and a great snowfall hindered people and animals from traveling. Meanwhile, the Capuchin monks arrived in Oberkirch to await the Evangelica…
Oberkirch · · 🤯 Weird
The name 'Lommis' is derived from the Old High German words 'loup' meaning 'leaf' or 'foliage' and 'misi' meaning 'to beat' or 'to strike', likely referring to the clearing of the forest in the area.…
Lommis · 🔍 Hidden gems
The church of Seengen was built on the site of a former Roman settlement, where archaeological finds such as wall remains, legionary bricks, and mosaic pieces have been discovered. The settlement was…
Seengen Church · · 🔍 Hidden gems
At the Zunfthaus zum Rüden in Baden, Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, a renowned educator, was born in a nearby house where his father, a respected eye doctor, lived until his death when Pestalozzi was ju…
Zunfthaus zum Rüden · · 🏛️ Legendary
Pestalozzi's early life was marked by hardship after his father's death, and he was raised by two women, including a loyal servant named Babeli, who had promised to care for the family on the father'…
Haus zum Schwarzen Horn · · 🏛️ Legendary
In the vicinity of Lake Zurich, remnants of ancient pile dwellings have been discovered, revealing how early inhabitants built their homes on stilts over the water for protection and convenience. The…
Lake Zurich · 🔍 Hidden gems
The Effinger family was known for their bravery and military prowess, with Christoff I fighting in the Italian Wars and later becoming a captain in the French army. However, his military career was c…
Wildegg Castle · · 🏛️ Legendary
The Pfarrersleute, a kind-hearted couple, took in two young girls, Susanna and Klärchen, who had lost their mother and were struggling to cope with their father's imprisonment. The couple showed them…
Der Rosenhof · · 🏛️ Legendary
Heinrich Zeller was a student at the 'großer Erggel' in Spiegelgasse, where he took drawing lessons from Hans Jakob Schweizer, who had previously taught Rudolf Koller.
Spiegelgasse · · 🏛️ Legendary
A prince's birth in the royal family was celebrated with a 72-gun salute from the military side on the wall of the Zitadelle in Baden, followed by a salute from the city's fire department, although w…
Zitadelle · 🏛️ Legendary
The materials from the destroyed Burg Stein castle were used to build the Reformierte Kirche in Baden, giving the church a unique and historic connection to the former fortress.
Reformierte Kirche · · 🔍 Hidden gems
The Villa Langmatt, now home to the Museum Langmatt, boasts one of Europe's most significant private collections of French Impressionism, making it a cultural gem in the heart of Baden.
Villa Langmatt · 🏛️ Legendary
The Hauptbahnhof in Baden, designed by Ferdinand Stadler, has been preserved in its original state since 1847 and was still in use by 2024.
Hauptbahnhof · · 🏛️ Legendary
Baden's Judenfriedhof is the oldest still existing Jewish cemetery in Switzerland, with a history dating back to a time when the country's Jewish population was heavily restricted, as noted in 1963.
Judenfriedhof · · 🏛️ Legendary
💀 Dark history · 😂 Funny · 🔍 Hidden gems · 🏛️ Legendary · 🤯 Weird
Hidden stories of Switzerland beneath your feet
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