96 Iconic Buildings to Explore in Switzerland

Checkout places to visit in Switzerland

Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world, with the highest nominal wealth per adult and the eighth-highest per capita GDP. It ranks at or near the top in several international metrics, including economic competitiveness and human development.

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Iconic Buildings to Explore in Switzerland

Chapelle Vorbourg

The Chapelle du Vorbourg is located below the old castle ruins Vorbourg in the canton of Jura in Switzerland. It is enthroned about 1.9 kilometers as the crow flies from Delémont on a high rock above the Birs , which forms a tight clus there . The castle ruins and chapel are clearly visible from the road from Basel to Delémont. The chapel has been in the care of the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of Saint-Benoît de Port-Valais in Le Bouveret in Valais since 1995 . Services are held here.

Château de Pleujouse

The Château de Pleujouse is a Swiss castle located in the canton of Jura , in Ajoie , and around which the village of Pleujouse was formed . The castle of Pleujouse is the setting for a legend according to which, Alie d'Asuel, called the "white lady" and her lover Huson de Pleujouse were killed by the men of her father while trying to escape from the castle.

Château de Porrentruy

Porrentruy Castle is a castle in the municipality of Porrentruy of the Canton of Jura in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. the castle served as exile residence of the prince-bishops of Basel from 1527 until 1792. The bishops had been exiled from Basel during the Swiss Reformation in 1529, whereas they were able to keep most of their territories outside the city.

Château de Tourbillon

Tourbillon Castle is a castle in Sion in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It is situated on a hill and faces the Basilique de Valère, located on the opposite hill. The castle was ruined in a fire in 1788. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. It was now one of the renowned tourist attraction in this area.

Château Gütsch

Château Gütsch is set in a 19th-century castle, overlooking the town of Lucerne and Lake Lucerne, with views to the Rigi Mountain. The interior was renovated and designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard. It gives an astonishing view of the valleys and the greenery.

Château Saint-Maire

Château Saint-Maire was built from 1397 to 1425 by the Bishops of Lausanne to serve as their fortified residence. It is now serves as the seat of the cantonal government, the Council of State of Vaud. And also a Swiss heritage site of national significance.

Clocktower Zug

This landmark of Zug is 52 metres high and rises above the other town towers. The lower part was constructed as a simple passageway through the town’s oldest circular wall. Hans Felder snr., from Bavaria, the master builder who built St. Oswald's Church, increased the tower height in 1478-1480.

Esterliturm

Estherlitum is an observation tower from reinforced concrete in the south of Lenzburg in Switzerland. The Esterliturm in its current form was built in 1974 by the local community. The tower has a height of 48 m and is composed of 19 concrete pipe elements. The viewing platform offers the visitor a unique panoramic view of the canton of Aargau.

Farnsburg Castle

The ruins of Farnsburg castle are located in Ormalingen. Adorning the buildings in Hemmiken are traces of the art of stone carving long practiced in the village. Here you can explore a range of historical buildings such as the rectory and storehouse. A historic boundary stone featuring the Habsburg and Basel coats of arms is evidence that the municipality bordered Austria until 1803.

FIFA headquarters

The FIFA headquarters is a distinctive building complex in Zürich. The complex has served as the official headquarters of FIFA since its completion in 2006. It is located on the Zürichberg, a wooded hill. As well as offices, the complex includes a fitness centre, a meditation room, geographically themed parks, and a full-size international football pitch.

Frauenfeld Castle

The exhibit of the Thurgau History Museum in Frauenfeld Castle illustrates the time after 1415 that was so important for the region. It offers both children and adults an insightful and playful gateway to the Middle Ages. The modern arrangements, interactive animation and the artwork shining in new splendour are the highlights of the multimedia castle tour.

Freitag Tower

The Freitag Tower is a building in Zurich that is used as a sales point and viewing platform. The tower consists of a total of 17 used overseas containers. It is located in the industrial quarter near the Hardbrücke train station. The platform at a height of 26 meters can be reached via 110 steps. The stairs are inside nine containers stacked on top of each other. The four lowest layers of containers are salesrooms for the Freitag company.

Freudenfels Castle

A castle nestled in the fantastic countryside high above Lake Constance. This baroque manor house, surrounded by vineyards and with views of Stein am Rhein, is an inspiring setting in which to come up with new concepts and creative ideas. The library and the fireside lounge, along with the beautiful rose garden, are perfect places to retreat to and recharge your mind.

Goetheanum

The Goetheanum is situated in Dornach, around 10 kilometers outside the city center. It serves as the head office and conference venue of the General Anthroposophical Society and boasts a distinctive shape, which has also inspired the architects of neighboring buildings. The current building was constructed between 1925 and 1928. Both were designed by the esoteric Rudolf Steiner, the founder of anthroposophy. The monumental exposed-concrete building is particularly striking, owing to the almost

Habsburg Castle

An 11th-century fortress home to one of the most influential royal houses in medieval Europe. It was the originating seat of the House of Habsburg, one of the most influential royal houses in Europe during the Middle Ages. The castle was originally built around 1020 and extended to a double castle in the later 11th century.

Hagenwil Castle

Hagenwil Castle is one of Switzerland's most well-preserved moated castles and its first recorded mention was in the 13th century. For more than 200 years it has been the property of the Angehrn family, who run a restaurant in the castle and produce their own wine. It provides an ideal environment for many parties and celebrations. Located in idyllic surroundings between horse pastures and vineyards.

Hammetschwand Elevator

The 152.8 meter-high lift to the Bürgenstock looks like a heaven-bound rocket. And views from Hammetschwand over Lucerne and its lake are best described as heavenly!. Built by hotel and railway businessman Franz Josef Bucher it was the first of its type in Switzerland when first opened in 1905. The lift carries passengers 153 metres up to the summit of the Hammetschwand in under a minute.

Heidegg Castle

Heidegg Castle is a castle in the municipality of Hitzkirch of the Canton of Lucerne in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. Heidegg was the only castle to survive the arson attacks by the Swiss Confederates. Legend has it that it was suddenly blanketed in fog as the soldiers marched through the Seetal. The ancient walls of the castle have a lot to tell.

Holländerturm

The Holländerturm is a former defensive tower in the old city of Bern in Switzerland. It is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site of the Old City of Bern. The tower was originally part of the city wall of Bern but was absorbed by the house at Waisenhausplatz 15.

Horben Castle

An old and beautiful castle situated at a rise of 818 meters 2,684 ft in the Horben-Hochebene close to the outskirt with the Canton of Lucerne. Horben Castle is a château in the region of Beinwil in the canton of Aargau. It is one of the iconic buildings in this area and a lot of tourists visit this place every day.

Map of Iconic Buildings to explore in Switzerland