Swiss oddities

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The Swiss canton where cars had to be pulled by horses

This content was published on May 30, 2026 A quirk of democracy meant cars were banned in Graubünden for a quarter of a century.

A chef at a restaurant in Langa seasons her dishes with Aromat.

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Aromat, from Switzerland to the townships of South Africa

This content was published on May 23, 2026 Aromat, said to be Switzerland’s national spice, is also sprinkled liberally on dishes in South Africa.

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Why Switzerland is considered a land of coffee

This content was published on May 20, 2026 Switzerland doesn’t grow coffee, yet it is the world’s second-largest coffee exporter. We explain why.

A barista creates a design using warm frothed milk on a latte

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How Switzerland became a land of coffee

This content was published on May 16, 2026 How did a small country with no domestic coffee cultivation become the world’s second‑largest coffee exporter?

A toilet from 1957 with a built-in shower function

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Flushed with success: how a Swiss loo (almost) conquered the world

This content was published on May 9, 2026 A Swiss invention can be found in practically every house and hotel in Japan.

Across the Atlantic in record time: Bernard Stamm

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Why Swiss sailors are among the best in the world

This content was published on May 2, 2026 Landlocked Switzerland is a major sailing nation, thanks to its inventive spirit and sailors who have pushed the limits.

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Lifting the lid on a peculiar Swiss passion

This content was published on Apr 25, 2026 For many Swiss, collecting coffee creamer lids is almost an addiction, with some changing hands for thousands of francs.

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Where cows compete to become queens

This content was published on Apr 18, 2026 Every spring, thousands of Swiss watch cows fight. But what really happens in the arena? We went to find out in Martigny.

A man dressed in a holly costume is wrestling with a man dressed as an elderly man.

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Eierläset: Switzerland’s craziest spring tradition

This content was published on Apr 17, 2026 In some Swiss villages, spring isn’t simply expected – it’s fought for.

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Cervelat, the ‘Swiss national sausage’

This content was published on Apr 11, 2026 Inexpensive and versatile, the cervelat has established itself in all Swiss regions and all social strata.

People in fancy dress are sitting on fir branches

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Eierläset: when spring triumphs over winter in Swiss villages

This content was published on Apr 4, 2026 Eggs are the stars of a special Swiss tradition, but every village marks the fertility custom differently.

Illustration of two people with cretinism

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The Swiss medical breakthrough that cured the ‘cretins of the Alps’

This content was published on Mar 28, 2026 Thanks to three visionary doctors, Switzerland was the first country to introduce iodised salt.

A hiking sign pointing to a dinosaur trail.

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Switzerland, a paradise for dinosaur hunters. Or is it?

This content was published on Mar 21, 2026 Switzerland is a special place for ichnologists, students of fossilised remains of animals.

A sign in the shape of a small house draws attention to agricultural products.

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Why the farm shop works so well in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 14, 2026 The mixture of self-service, high-tech and trust can be found in Switzerland more than in almost any other country.

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World’s first e-skis: genius or joke?

This content was published on Mar 7, 2026 A Swiss company has developed the world’s first battery-powered skis. But it might be an uphill battle to win over purists.

The Bernese bear will continue to display its red limb on the coat of arms

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Bear penis to remain on Bernese coat of arms

This content was published on Mar 6, 2026 The bear on the coat of arms of canton Bern will continue to display its red penis, the cantonal government has ruled.

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Funeral cards, a genealogical treasure trove

This content was published on Feb 28, 2026 A once widespread tradition in Switzerland is dying out. Today these images are of particular interest to genealogists.

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Switzerland, the country of four seas

This content was published on Feb 21, 2026 In a geographical peculiarity, landlocked Switzerland is connected to four seas via its rivers. How many can you name?

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Why do some Swiss dress up as Japanese during carnival?

This content was published on Feb 14, 2026 A group in canton Schwyz performs ‘Japanese plays’ during carnival. But the 170-year tradition is struggling.

Sign indicating that honking is prohibited.

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Penalties and peculiarities of the Swiss Highway Code

This content was published on Feb 7, 2026 The Swiss Highway Code reflects some magnificent obsessions typical of the Swiss mentality.

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Cash for mouse tails: a dying Swiss tradition?

This content was published on Jan 31, 2026 Paying hunters – usually children – about a franc per tail remains an official strategy in some regions of Switzerland.

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High on a Swiss hill: the oldest playable organ in the world

This content was published on Jan 24, 2026 The 15th-century organ at Notre-Dame de Valère in Sion attracts fans from all over the world.

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Switzerland, home of the original Jurassic park

This content was published on Jan 17, 2026 The name of the period in the Mesozoic Era originates in the mountain range dividing Switzerland and France.

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The ‘January slump’ – a Swiss invention

This content was published on Jan 14, 2026 This is the astonishing story of the “January slump” – from its beginnings in the Swiss Alps to the post-Christmas blues.

Swiss oddities

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Putsch: the most revolutionary Swiss-German word in the world

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The Swiss canton where cars had to be pulled by horses

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Aromat, from Switzerland to the townships of South Africa

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Why Switzerland is considered a land of coffee

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How Switzerland became a land of coffee

More

Flushed with success: how a Swiss loo (almost) conquered the world

More

Why Swiss sailors are among the best in the world

More

Lifting the lid on a peculiar Swiss passion

More

Where cows compete to become queens

More

Eierläset: Switzerland’s craziest spring tradition

More

Cervelat, the ‘Swiss national sausage’

More

Eierläset: when spring triumphs over winter in Swiss villages

More

The Swiss medical breakthrough that cured the ‘cretins of the Alps’

More

Switzerland, a paradise for dinosaur hunters. Or is it?

More

Why the farm shop works so well in Switzerland

More

World’s first e-skis: genius or joke?

More

Bear penis to remain on Bernese coat of arms

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Funeral cards, a genealogical treasure trove

More

Switzerland, the country of four seas

More

Why do some Swiss dress up as Japanese during carnival?

More

Penalties and peculiarities of the Swiss Highway Code

More

Cash for mouse tails: a dying Swiss tradition?

More

High on a Swiss hill: the oldest playable organ in the world

More

Switzerland, home of the original Jurassic park

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The ‘January slump’ – a Swiss invention

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