Culture of Switzerland

"Swiss customs" redirects here. For the national agency, see Swiss Border Guard.

Farmer families, dressed in traditional clothing, guiding cattle down from the Swiss Alps.
Silvesterklaus in Urnäsch
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Switzerland lies at the crossroads of several major European cultures. Three of the continent's major languages, German, French and Italian, are national languages of Switzerland, along with Romansh, spoken by a small minority. Therefore, Swiss culture is characterized by diversity, which is reflected in a wide range of traditional customs. The 26 cantons also account for the large cultural diversity.[1]

Not withstanding the regional disparities, the Alps have played an essential role in shaping the history and culture of Switzerland.[2][3] The region of the Gotthard Pass became the nucleus of the Swiss Confederacy in the early 14th century. Nowadays, all mountain areas of Switzerland have a strong skiing and mountaineering culture and are associated with folk arts such as the alphorn and yodeling. Other Swiss cultural icons include Swiss chocolate, Swiss cheese, watches, cowbells, banking, and the Swiss Army knives.

Although there is reasonable doubt whether William Tell ever lived at all, the legend itself had a great impact on the history and culture of Switzerland[4] (statue in Altdorf)
  1. ^ Swiss culture. Archived 2013-05-29 at the Wayback Machine. swissworld.org. Retrieved on 2009-12-01.
  2. ^ Mountains and hedgehogs. Archived 2009-11-06 at the Wayback Machine. swissworld.org. Retrieved on 2009-12-01.
  3. ^ In Search of Natural Identity: Alpine Landscape and the Reconstruction of the Swiss Nation, Oliver Zimmer, London School of Economics and Political Science.
  4. ^ The Legend of William Tell geschichte-schweiz.ch. Retrieved on 2009-06-24