The French city of Neuchatel in Switzerland attracts tourists with its watch industry, a unique medieval atmosphere (many architectural monuments have been preserved almost intact here) in combination with modern centers and a university that is famous throughout Switzerland. Neuchatel Lake deserves special attention, which fascinates with wonderful views both in winter, and in summer, and in the off-season. In general, this town is definitely worth a visit.
Canton of Neuchatel
The Kingdom of Neuchatel in Switzerland is located in the west of the country, bordered by France. The name of the canton (territorial-administrative unit, principality) comes from the French and German new castle. The neighborhood with France and the long period of Neuchâtel’s history associated with this country have caused the majority of the population to be French-speaking Swiss.
The principality was first mentioned in the will of Rudolph III the Lazy, King of Burgundy, in 1032. Two years later, the city and surrounding lands entered the reign of Count Ulrich von Fenis. By 1373, the prosperous dynasty had concentrated all the lands of the canton in its possessions. Subsequently, the territories belonged to the Lords of Freiburg, then passed into the possession of the house of the French aristocrats Orleans-Langville. At the end of the first third of the sixteenth century, the French preacher Farel brought here the ideas of the Reformation.
The French house did not have worthy heirs, so the principality came under the control of Frederick William III, the Prussian king. Napoleon ruled here for several years. In 1815, the canton joined the Swiss Confederation, the monarchy was replaced by the republican system, and the confederation was transformed into a federation. The Prussian king tried several times to establish a counter-revolution, because he did not want to put up with this state of affairs, but in the end he abandoned his claims in 1857.
City in Switzerland
The capital of the canton is the village of the same name located between Saint-Blaise and Peso. In the Middle Ages, the castle was the residence of local counts, descended from the German dynasties of Urachs and Tseringen. Despite the overwhelming French population of this area, until the mid-nineteenth century the city was in association with the Prussian crown. Today Neuchâtel is considered the largest French city in the country.
The canton of Neuchatel in Switzerland is known for the watch and jewelry industry. A native of the city was Breguet, the founder of the luxury watch brand of the same name. Tourists who appreciate watch art can visit many museums and manufactories, those who wish will be allowed to look into watch workshops and even try to make watches on their own. Tourism, by the way, has been actively developing here recently. There are tobacco industry enterprises, several wine-making and high-tech companies. Neuchâtel has a small but fairly well-known University of Neuchâtel and the Swiss Center for Microtechnology and Electronics. This makes the city not only historical, but also modern.
sights
Neuchâtel (Switzerland) attracts tourists with several interesting museums, beautiful examples of the architecture of the Middle Ages (fairly standard for that era, but well preserved), religious monuments made in the Gothic style, and a wonderful atmosphere. Fans of event tourism should visit the city in September, when residents celebrate the traditional Grape Festival. At this time, there are many interesting gastronomic events, street performances and concerts, and you can also try national treats and young wine.
By the way, to explore the memorable places of this small city in Switzerland, you can use the special tourist train. A 45-minute tour of the historic center with a stop at the castle on the lake. Trains depart from the main square from 13:45 to 16:45. The cost (including the accompaniment of an audio guide) is seven francs for adults, four for children.
Historical heritage
Acquaintance with Neuchâtel (Switzerland) is best to start from the historical center of the city. This is a great place for long unhurried walks. Many small cafes will not leave a tourist hungry. The old city is attractive for its steep alleys, multi-level streets and examples of architecture of the Middle Ages, which are perfectly preserved. From the central square you can go west to the bustling Place des Halles, whose real decoration is a sixteenth-century palace.
The tower of the city hall rises two minutes walk. The building was built by the chief architect Louis sixteenth Pierre-Adrian Paris at the end of the eighteenth century. You can walk along Rue du Chateau in the Collegiate Church, the monument to Farel, who brought the ideas of the Reformation to the city, to the Castle Stairs, where you go up to the church in the Norman style and to the castle itself. Today, the castle complex is used as the office of the local administration, so you can visit it only during a free organized tour that lasts 45 minutes.
Nearby is the Prison Tower, which is open to visitors daily from April to September from eight in the morning to eighteen hours. For the entrance you need to pay a symbolic amount of only one franc. This building offers breathtaking views of all the surroundings, and inside you can see a small historical collection.
Collegiate church
The church, which was built during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, is the main religious monument of the city. The eye-catching western tower was only erected in the process of large-scale reconstruction in the nineteenth century. The attraction of the church is a fourteenth-century monument, decorated with fifteen sculptures of the noblemen of the city. This is one of the most outstanding Gothic memorials in Switzerland. Entrance to the church is free for tourists. You can see the landmark at any convenient time from eight to eighteen in the winter or up to twenty in the summer. Even tourists who are far from religion leave positive reviews about this place. The church is so bewitching.
Griffin sculpture fountain
The fountain near the castle in Neuchâtel, built in 1664, was originally intended to remove excess water from the castle to the city. The sculpture on top depicts a griffin - a famous mythical creature with the head and body of a lion, the wings of an eagle. The eagle is considered the king of birds, the lion is the king of animals. This majestic and powerful creature perfectly suited to show the superiority of the inhabitants of the castle over the townspeople. Henry II of Orleans ordered the pool to be filled with 1300 gallons of young wine in honor of his arrival in the city in 1668. Now it is one of the most famous fountains in all of Switzerland.
Other famous fountains
The fountain with the sculpture of a lion was erected in the same year as with the griffin. The lion bore the symbolic power of the inhabitants of the castle. Initially, the sculpture was different eighty-three years after the creation of the fountain, another sculpture was placed on top of the column. The first small fountain outside the ramparts was Laurent Perroud, created in 1581. At the top of the column is the figure of the standard bearer with a lion at his feet. This is a knight who had the right to lead people into battle under his own banner. By the way, the fountain found its bright color (as it was originally) only after reconstruction in the nineties of the twentieth century.
The figurine for the fountain of Justice was carved between 1545 and 1547. This is an octagonal pool decorated with stone flowers, and in the center stands a pillar depicting justice (allegorically). At the feet of the figure are the judge, the Sultan, the Emperor and the Pope. According to tourists, consider the fountain for quite some time. The monument attracts the attention of passers-by. Today's figure on top of the column is a copy. The original sixteenth century during the reconstruction in 1997 was sent to the Museum of Art and History.
Museum of Art and History
Some exhibits of the museum's collection may surprise even an experienced traveler. Antiques and works of art are traditionally exhibited, and you can also see programmable robots that were created in the eighteenth century by a talented local watchmaker. In the Museum of Art and History, collections of local painters and sculptors are available for inspection, as well as a number of interesting exhibits from different periods of the city’s history.
Museum Lathenium in Neuchatel
Another Lathenium museum attracts tourists' attention, which presents to everyone a rich collection of finds from archaeological sites. Antiquities discovered during the study of ancient settlements in the vicinity are stored there. Some unique exhibits were brought to the museum from different regions of Switzerland. The collection is replenished from time to time.
Friedrich Dürrenmatt Center
The center bears the name of one of the most famous citizens and a famous writer. Friedrich Dürrenmatt lived in Neuchâtel (Switzerland) from 1952 to 1990. After his death, local authorities decided to open a cultural center in honor of the writer. Today, there is a collection of works by Friedrich Dürrenmatt and a small museum where his personal items are exhibited. The center is used for local cultural events, most of which can be visited for free.
Interesting places for walking
Natural monuments are in demand among travelers. Many decide on foot to climb Mount Crete du Plan, whose height is 589 meters, while other tourists climb in just a few minutes by funicular. From the top there is a wonderful view of the city and its main natural attraction, Lake Neuchâtel. At any time of the year, you can enjoy walking along its shores and several adjacent parks. The Neuchatel Lake in Switzerland attracts not only tourists, but also many citizens.
Some tips for tourists
Neuchatel (Switzerland) can be reached by train (direct or transfer in Bill) from the nearest airport, which is located in Zurich. By car you need to follow the A1 highway, and from Solothurn turn onto the A5. Tourists need to stock up on local currency will need francs or euros. Also, when planning a trip, it should be borne in mind that time in Switzerland is one hour less than in Moscow. Neuchâtel is definitely worth a visit, because tourists leave reviews about this place enthusiastic.