Switzerland

Across its Alpine valleys and four language regions, Switzerland keeps alive pastoral customs, watchmaking expertise and distinctive vocal and dairy traditions.

Crafts Nature & herbalism Music & dance Building & habitat Spirituality & rites

Knowledge in this place

Watchmaking and mechanical art

Watchmaking and mechanical art

The know-how of mechanical watchmaking and automata in the Jura Arc, inscribed by UNESCO with neighbouring France.

Alpine pasture season

Alpine pasture season

The summer transhumance of cattle to mountain pastures with its herding and cheese-making rituals, inscribed by UNESCO.

Nature & herbalism

Yodelling

A wordless mountain vocal technique alternating chest and head voice, used in Alpine herding and festive singing.

Traditional irrigation

Traditional irrigation

Networks of gravity channels and shared water rights for meadow irrigation, inscribed by UNESCO across several Alpine countries.

Building & habitat

Basel Carnival

Basel Carnival

A three-day winter carnival of lanterns, piccolos and drums beginning before dawn, inscribed by UNESCO.

Spirituality & rites