Not far from Lake Lucerne lies a magnificent piece of history, a castle which recalls the glory of a former era. Fringed by rolling vineyards and gardens, the majestic Meggenhorn Castle rests on a promontory, and is the prized possession of Meggen. A Swiss heritage site of national importance, it was built by industrial magnate Edouard Hofer-Grosjean in 1868. Inspired by one of the most architecturally influential castles in the world, it modeled certain design elements on the French Renaissance-style Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley. Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of Meggenhorn Castle is its Welte Philharmonic Organ, which became part of the property in the early-20th Century. A favored spot for picnicking, the castle is also available for private events.
Founded in the 12th century, the Fischingen Abbey of Switzerland is a popular pilgrimage site as well as a tourist attraction for its rich history and fine architecture. Featuring a remarkable blend of Baroque and Rococo style, the monastic buildings are decorated with intricate stone carvings, beautiful hand painted frescoes and an ornate altar. It was dissolved for over a 100 years and functioned as a textile factory but was recently reestablished as an independent institution in 1977 and now is a part of the Benedictine Confederation. Today, it is home to a premier conference hotel and restaurant, and also regularly hosts classical music concerts. Visit the website for further details.
Revisit history by discovering the underground tunnels Meyersche Stollen named after the renowned Swiss builder Johann Rudolf Meyer back in the 18th century. The main purpose for the tunnels was to acquire groundwater. The site is open all year round to visit only in appointment basis.
The Pulverturm is the last standing structure in Oldenburg's fortifications. It is a gunpowder magazine (building) used to store gunpowder during the middle ages. It was used for the same from 1730 - 1765 during the Danish rule. The structure stands at an elevation of 14 meters (45 foot) and is cylindrical along the length.
Holzbrücke is a 39-meter long (128 feet) wooden bridge that connects Baden to Wettingen across the Limmat River. Although the existing bridge was built in 1810, there have been at least five others that were built at varying times through history starting in the Middle Ages. The bridge, and its predecessors, have gone trough some rough times withstanding the brunt of four wars. While the historic, pedestrian bridge has been restored, markers of its long and eventful history are still visible.
Built by the Franciscan Order in the 13th Century, the church has undergone numerous changes over the years. The structure has a Gothic architectural design, featuring an intricately hand-carved wooden lectern, an altar dating back to the renaissance period and, most importantly, a painting depicting the defeat of the Habsburg army at the battle of Sempach in 1386. The flags that you see hoisted on the church's outer walls mark the exact place where the Swiss turned the tide on their enemy.