Swiss oddities

The CHF1,000 dance of death and other unforgettable Swiss banknotes

This content was published on Nov 30, 2024 The Swiss National Bank puts a lot of thought into the design of its banknotes, some of which really grabbed the public’s imagination.

Swiss oddities

Hornussen, the Swiss national sport with a sting

This content was published on Nov 23, 2024 The Swiss sport of Hornussen invariably generates stunned reactions from people seeing it for the first time.

An alphorn player in traditional costume on a meadow overlooking Lake Lucerne.

Swiss oddities

In search of the ‘authentic’ Swiss musical instrument

This content was published on Nov 16, 2024 The alphorn is the most emblematic instrument in Swiss folklore, but not necessarily the most authentic.

Have you ever heard anything peculiar about Switzerland that you found interesting?

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Nov 13, 2024

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Swiss oddities

Heard the one about the Swiss company installing laugh detectors?

This content was published on Nov 9, 2024 A Swiss insurer is testing the frequency of laughter in an office to improve job satisfaction. Workers who don’t laugh enough are sent an email with a funny video.

Swiss oddities

Gold-digging: why some Swiss bury their wealth in the garden

This content was published on Nov 2, 2024 The Swiss sometimes keep their gold in surprising places.

Swiss oddities

When a Roman emperor risks falling from his pedestal

This content was published on Oct 26, 2024 Almost 85 years after its discovery, the identity of the golden bust from Avenches remains a mystery.

Swiss oddities

The surprising boom of Switzerland’s least-loved coin

This content was published on Oct 19, 2024 Switzerland’s five-centime/Rappen coin is one of the least popular coins in Swiss wallets, so why is the number in circulation shooting up?

The pieces in the "Mechanical Marvels" exhibition at the Maison de la Mécanique d'Art in Geneva illustrate the art of the automatier in a simple and playful way.

Swiss oddities

Sainte-Croix: the Swiss village that keeps the tradition of automata alive

This content was published on Oct 5, 2024 The "Mechanical Marvels" exhibition at the Maison de la Mécanique d'Art in Geneva showcases automata and the work of mechanical artists from the Swiss village of Sainte-Croix.

Swiss oddities

The Swiss metal detectorist who helped find a Roman military camp

This content was published on Oct 2, 2024 Self-taught archaeologist Romano Agola talks about life as a detectorist and the “treasure hunter” phenomenon in Switzerland.

Swiss oddities

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Swiss oddities

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The CHF1,000 dance of death and other unforgettable Swiss banknotes

More

Hornussen, the Swiss national sport with a sting

More

In search of the ‘authentic’ Swiss musical instrument

More

Have you ever heard anything peculiar about Switzerland that you found interesting?

More

Heard the one about the Swiss company installing laugh detectors?

More

Gold-digging: why some Swiss bury their wealth in the garden

More

When a Roman emperor risks falling from his pedestal

More

The surprising boom of Switzerland’s least-loved coin

More

Sainte-Croix: the Swiss village that keeps the tradition of automata alive

More

The Swiss metal detectorist who helped find a Roman military camp

Popular Stories

Most Discussed