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The Circle at Zurich Airport

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A Legal Grey Zone in Kloten Reading Time:     4 Min. Publication:         June 26, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer There is a place at Zurich Airport where the usual rules of Swiss life do not quite apply. The Circle, a modern complex of shops, restaurants, and office spaces directly adjacent to the airport terminals, has become something of a legal curiosity. It is officially part of the airport, but critics argue it does not really belong there. The result is a quiet battle over Sunday opening hours, duty-free privileges, and the very definition of what an airport should be. A Matter of Postal Codes The Circle carries the postal code 8058 Zurich-Airport, which places it firmly within the airport's administrative territory . This address has proven remarkably useful. Under Swiss labor law, shops located at train stations or inside airports are permitted to open on Sundays . The Circle's tenants, which include Jelmoli, Läderach , and Omega , have take...
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The Legends behind Mount Pilatus

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The Mountain That Swallowed a Governor Reading Time:     4 Min. Publication:         June 23, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer There is a mountain overlooking Lucerne that carries a rather heavy name. Mount Pilatus , with its serrated ridge and frequent cloud cover, has been a source of local stories for centuries. And most of those stories lead back to one man. Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who sentenced Jesus to death, somehow ended up buried in a Swiss mountain. At least, that is what the legend claims. How a first-century Roman official found his way to central Switzerland is a winding tale of medieval imagination and mistaken identity. A Body That Would Not Rest The story begins after Pilate's death. According to the legend, he committed suicide in Rome, but his body refused to stay put. It was thrown into the Tiber River, which reacted with violent storms. The body was pulled out and sent to the Rhone River in France. More storms followed. It...
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Location: Pilatus Kulm, 6010 Alpnach, Switzerland
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Hornussen: Switzerland’s Strangest National Sport

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A Sport like no Other Reading Time:     4 Min. Publication:         June 18, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer Deep in the Swiss countryside, a peculiar sound echoes across the fields. It is not a bird or a cowbell. It is a low, buzzing hum that grows into a menacing whine, like an angry hornet the size of a fist. This is the sound of a Hornuss, a small rubber puck, hurtling through the air at over three hundred kilometers per hour. And somewhere on the field, a group of people in helmets is trying to stop it with a large wooden paddle. Welcome to Hornussen, a sport that most Swiss would describe as somewhere between baseball, medieval warfare, and a very bad idea. A Game Born on the Farm Hornussen has no professional leagues or millionaire athletes. It began centuries ago as a farmer’s pastime in the Emmental region, a way to pass time between harvest and winter. The equipment was simple and made from whatever was available. A flexible whip launched th...
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Location: Ersigenstrasse 32, 3422 Kirchberg, Switzerland
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Back-to-School: Local Shops for Families

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Well Prepared for the New School Year Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:            June 16, 2026, Jessy Thür As the summer holidays slowly come to an end, many families in Switzerland begin preparing for the upcoming school year. School supplies, new clothing, sports equipment, and various organizational tasks quickly fill the to-do list. While large online retailers are often the first stop, local shops offer many advantages that make the back-to-school season easier, more personal, and often more enjoyable. Shopping locally supports the regional economy and provides families with personalized advice, high-quality products, and the benefit of immediate availability without long delivery times. The back-to-school period is therefore the perfect opportunity to explore the wide range of offerings from local businesses. School Supplies from Specialist Stores Notebooks, pens, folders, calculators, and craft materials are among the most essen...
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Location: Thurgauerstrasse 40, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
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Old Swiss Recipes That Are Still Popular Today

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Traditional Delights: Swiss Classics That Have Endured Through Generations Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:            June 09, 2026, Jessy Thür Swiss cuisine is much more than cheese fondue and chocolate . Over the centuries, numerous traditional recipes have been developed and are still served today in households, restaurants, and at festive occasions. These dishes tell stories of regional ingredients, rural traditions, and a deeply rooted food culture. Some recipes have stood the test of time and continue to enjoy great popularity. Anyone wishing to discover Switzerland through its cuisine cannot overlook these timeless classics. Rösti - From Farmers’ Breakfast to National Dish Few dishes are as closely associated with Switzerland as Rösti. Originally from the Canton of Bern , it was prepared as a hearty breakfast for farmers. The main ingredient is grated potatoes, which are fried in a pan until golden brown and crispy. Today, Röst...
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Location: Thurgauerstrasse 40, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
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Trains That Carry Villages: Switzerland’s Mountain Lifelines

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More Than Just a Commuter Service Reading Time:     4 Min. Publication:         June 04, 2026, Jonathan Schönholzer In Switzerland’s deepest alpine valleys, a train is never merely a train. It is the post office, the school bus, the grocery delivery, and sometimes even the doctor. For villages clinging to mountainsides far from any highway, the narrow-gauge railway and the iconic Swiss PostBus network often serve as the only reliable link to the outside world. When winter closes the road passes with meters of snow, the train often keeps running. These railways do not carry passengers. They carry entire communities. A single morning train might transport children heading to secondary school in the next valley, a farmer bringing cheese to the cooperative, a nurse traveling to visit elderly patients, and boxes of fresh bread for the village shop. The distinction between passenger service and cargo service disappears. Everything rides together on the ...
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Location: Goppenstein, 3917 Ferden, Switzerland
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Why Swiss Cows Wear Bells and Who Makes Them

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A Tradition with a Sound: The History of the Swiss Cowbell Reading Time:      5 Min. Publication:            June 02, 2026, Jessy Thür When people think of Switzerland, images of majestic Alps, green pastures, and cows with large bells around their necks often immediately come to mind. The cowbell is far more than a tourist symbol; it is a living part of Swiss culture. For centuries, the characteristic sounds of the bells have accompanied life in the Alps and are closely linked to the country’s agriculture and traditions. But why do Swiss cows wear bells? And who makes these iconic instruments? A look behind the scenes reveals that the cowbell hides a fascinating story of craftsmanship, functionality, and tradition. Why Cows Wear Bells Originally, cowbells served a practical purpose. In Switzerland’s vast mountainous regions, the animals often roamed freely across large alpine meadows. Especially in areas with limited visibility, fog, or dens...
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Location: Thurgauerstrasse 40, 8050 Zürich, Switzerland
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