Swiss heritage sites open their doors

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The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch site provides an outstanding example of the formation of the High Alps, including the most glaciated part of the mountain range and the largest glacier in Eurasia. (Keystone) Keystone

The Aletsch Glacier is the longest in the Alps. (Reuters) Reuters

La Chaux-de-Fonds / Le Locle watchmaking towns. Their planning and buildings reflect watchmakers’ need of rational organization. (Keystone) Keystone

Planned in the early 19th century, after extensive fires, the towns owed their existence to this single industry. (Reuters) Reuters

The pyramid-shaped, 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). (Keystone) Keystone

Diverse marine life flourished within this lagoon, including reptiles, fish, bivalves, ammonites, echinoderms and crustaceans. (Keystone) Keystone

Founded as a monastery by Charlemagne in the 8th century and later converted into a convent, the Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair complex exhibits many architectural styles as well as artistic treasures from more than 12 centuries. (Keystone) Keystone

The conventual church houses the most important cycle of frescoes of the Carolingian era conserved in situ. (Keystone) Keystone

The Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona in the north-eastern part of the country covers a mountainous area of 32,850 ha which features seven peaks that rise above 3,000 m. (Keystone) Keystone

The area displays an exceptional example of mountain building through continental collision and features. (Keystone) Keystone

Founded in the 12th century on a hill site surrounded by the Aare River, Bern developed over the centuries in line with a an exceptionally coherent planning concept. (Keystone) Keystone

The buildings in the Old City, dating from a variety of periods, include 15th-century arcades and 16th-century fountains. Most of the medieval town was restored in the 18th century but it has retained its original character. (Keystone) Keystone

The Bellinzona site consists of a group of fortifications grouped around the castle of Castelgrande, which stands on a rocky peak looking out over the entire Ticino valley. (Keystone) Keystone

Running from the castle, a series of fortified walls protect the ancient town and block the passage through the valley. (Keystone) Keystone

This serial property of 111 small individual sites encompasses the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt house) settlements in and around the Alps built from around 5000 to 500 B.C. on the edges of lakes, rivers or wetlands. (Amt für Städtebau/Unterwasserarchäologie Zurich) Amt für Städtebau/Unterwasserarchäologie Zürich

Excavation at Muntelier / Baie de Montilier in canton Fribourg. (Service archéologique de l’Etat de Fribourg) Service archéologique de l’Etat de Fribourg

The Lavaux Vineyard Terraces stretch for about 30 km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva. (Reuters) Reuters

Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the area in Roman times, the present vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian monasteries controlled the area. (Reuters) Reuters

Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes, brings together two historic railway lines that cross the Swiss Alps through two passes. (Keystone) Keystone

It features an impressive set of structures including 42 tunnels and covered galleries and 144 viaducts and bridges. (Keystone) Keystone

The Convent of St Gallen, a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery, was, from the 8th century to its secularization in 1805, one of the most important in Europe. (swiss image) swiss image

Its library is one of the richest and oldest in the world and contains precious manuscripts such as the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment. (AFP) AFP

Seventeen buildings in seven countries of Swiss architect Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, better known as Le Corbusier, are together a candidate for UNESCO recognition. Pictured is the modest house he built for his parents on the Lake Geneva shore. (AFP) AFP

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A series of events open to the public this weekend are showcasing Switzerland’s 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These images take you on a World Heritage tour of Switzerland.

In the capital, Bern, there will be a World Heritage Market in the Old Town, allowing visitors to experience Bern’s medieval character. The company, Jungfrau Railways, is cutting ticket prices in half for journeys to the Jungfraujoch, the mountain station set amid the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch heritage site.

One of the newest additions to Switzerland’s UNESCO listExternal link are the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces above Lake Geneva. The present terraces date back to the 11^th century.

The effort to promote the 11 sites this weekend comes a year after the Swiss Commission for UNESCO said more had to be done to raise awareness of the places within Switzerland.

Since the world heritage label’s inception in 1972, UNESCO’s global list has grown to over 1,000 sites in 161 countries. In all 191 countries have ratified the Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. Switzerland did so in 1975. 

(Picture editor: Christoph Balsiger, Text: Dale Bechtel)