Swiss Stories

Panneaux solaires

Swiss technology tackles the climate crisis

Environment
Swiss start-ups and Swiss-based multinational companies are developing promising and often little-known solutions to address global warming. We visited several Swiss companies that are working to tackle the climate crisis.
earth from space

A Swiss astronaut on the launching pad!

Science & Education
Fulfilling a childhood dream is the stuff of a story worth telling. As a child, Marco Sieber was fascinated by space travel, reading many a book on the subject, and even building a model rocket with his brother. He could never have imagined that one day he might actually have the chance to experience space travel!

by John Durham

Jona PGT, Personal Gallery studio in Lugano

'Swiss Tattoo': Swiss quality under the skin

Society
With 'Swiss made', you know what you're getting: perfect execution, a five-star finish and impeccable quality. This know-how also applies to the Swiss tattoo scene; the country can boast a generation of tattoo artists whose unique talent has earned them international renown.
Petra

The Swiss discoverer of Petra

History
Johann Ludwig Burckhardt, the scion of a wealthy Basel family, converted to Islam to facilitate his work as an explorer. In 1812, travelling almost alone, he discovered the lost red sandstone city of Petra in the Jordanian desert.
Ambulance jet Bombardier Challenger 650

Rega: the Swiss saviour

History
Rega, also known as Swiss Air-Rescue, carries out helicopter and ambulance jet missions in Switzerland and abroad for those in need. The non-profit foundation celebrated its 70th anniversary this year and is supported by the financial contributions of more than 3.6 million patrons.

by Olivia Chang

The charnel house in Leuk, June 2018 – © Cyril Zingaro for Le Temps

The catacombs of Valais: as fascinating as those of Paris

History
You don't have descend into the catacombs of Paris to feel the gaze of thousands of empty eye sockets. With its 24,000 skulls, the charnel house in Leuk in the Upper Valais region of Switzerland provides an equally chilling spectacle.
© Ticino Tourism, photo by Enrico Pescantini

Italian-speaking Switzerland, a land of literary inspiration

Society
Did you know that Italian-speaking Switzerland, with its lakes and mountains, features in the works of three giants of world literature? Join us on a literary tour of Italian-speaking Switzerland, stopping in three of the region's most iconic places: Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano and the Gotthard Pass.