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 the Canton of Zurich, 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
A woman in Baden was fined 600 francs for unintentionally not paying 85 cents for a pastry at an Aldi store, after a self-checkout error went unnoticed.
Aldi Baden · · 🤯 Weird
A 65-year-old man set himself on fire in a Postauto in Kerzers, taking five others with him, in a shocking and unexplained incident that has left the community reeling.
Kerzers · · 💀 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
A kayaker stumbled upon a remarkably well-preserved mammoth tooth while paddling along the Limmat River in Baden, a find that has left experts astonished and delighted.
Limmat River · · 🤯 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, a shocking example of how strict traffic laws can be.
Rohrdorferberg-Reusstal · · 🤯 Weird
A tenant in Bümpliz was shocked to receive a bill of almost 400 francs for a missing toothbrush glass, which was estimated to cost only 5 francs.
Bümpliz · · 😂 Funny
A brutal fight broke out at the Nordportal nightclub, leaving a 25-year-old man with severe facial lacerations, a broken jaw, and a mild concussion.
Nordportal nightclub · · 💀 Dark history
Near the Basel football stadium, a hidden bunker called 'Beatrice' remains, one of only 12 left from the 85 built in 1940 to defend against German invasion.
Basel football stadium · · 🔍 Hidden gems
Basel was so heavily armed during WWII that it had 15,000 soldiers stationed, earning it the nickname of being 'bis an die Zähne bewaffnet', or 'armed to the teeth'.
Basel · · 💀 Dark history
A fire broke out in the Zurich Freemasons' lodge Modestia cum Libertate, a building that has been shrouded in mystery for centuries due to the Freemasons' tradition of secrecy.
Zurich · · 🔍 Hidden gems
In 1937, the Swiss people rejected a initiative to ban Freemasonry and similar organizations, ensuring the continuation of the tradition in the country.
Switzerland · · 🏛️ Legendary
In Meiringen, a family has been sewing Edelweiss shirts since 1979, with some customers, like Arabs, spending thousands of francs on these traditional Swiss garments.
Meiringen · · 🤯 Weird
In Rabius, a small atelier produces luxurious skis made from granite, which are said to be advantageous on difficult terrain due to their quiet and smooth ride.
Rabius · 🤯 Weird
In the church of St. Martin in Trun, a futuristic lamp was installed, which was created using a unique technology that combines copper wire, 3D printer waste, and marble dust.
St. Martin church · 🤯 Weird
In a bizarre sprint duel, two world record holders, Karsten Warholm and Armand Duplantis, competed against each other in the 100m dash at Letzigrund, with Duplantis emerging victorious in 10.37 secon…
Letzigrund · 🤯 Weird
At the Kantonsspital Aarau, a surprise oasis was set up for nursing staff, complete with a beach bar, palm trees, and loungers, all hidden behind a white curtain.
Kantonsspital Aarau · · 🤯 Weird
The Bernerhaus in Baden has a rich history, having served as a residence for Bern's delegates during the Tagsatzungen of the Eidgenossenschaft from the 15th to the 18th century. The building was even…
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
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
The closing of the monasteries founded by the Habsburgs in the 16th century, such as those in Wettingen and Muri, 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
The castle of Herdern was once the target of a soldier's attack in 1656, during which important documents went missing. These documents were likely from earlier times and are now lost to history.
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
Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi, a renowned educator, was born in a house near the 'Zunfthaus zum Rüden' in Zurich, where his father, a respected eye doctor, lived until his death when Pestalozzi was just…
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
💀 Dark history · 😂 Funny · 🔍 Hidden gems · 🏛️ Legendary · 🤯 Weird
Hidden stories of Zurich beneath your feet
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