UNESCO, the UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, included them along with nine other forests in Europe in the list of “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe”.
In addition to Switzerland, these are located in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Poland, Serbia and Slovakia.
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Tree of life’s a beech
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In autumn, Switzerland’s beech trees are aflame with red leaves. However, they struggle with the higher temperatures that come with climate change.
“The extension […] adds to the outstanding universal value and integrity of the property, which now comprises 94 component parts across 18 countries,” UNESCO said in a statementExternal link on Wednesday.
“The extended property represents an outstanding example of relatively undisturbed, complex temperate forests and exhibits a wide spectrum of comprehensive ecological patterns and processes of pure and mixed stands of European beech across a variety of environmental conditions.”
The forested Bettlachstock (left), next to it the cliffs of the Wandflue in the Solothurn Jura.
SRF
Solothurn’s Bettlachstock has been a cantonal nature reserve for 35 years, where natural development is left largely undisturbed. The oldest trees go back more than 200 years. In Ticino, the beech forests in question are located in tributaries of the Maggia Valley.
Switzerland has 13 sitesExternal link on UNESCO’s World Heritage List: nine cultural and four natural.
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Le Corbusier’s works listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites
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UNESCO added the architectural works of Le CorbusierExternal link – buildings in Switzerland, France, India and Argentina, among others – at the 40th session of the body’s World Heritage Committee on Sunday. An image of Le Corbusier – his horn-rimmed glasses raised to his forehead – has adorned the Swiss ten-franc note since 1997. “A…
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
An atomic ‘tick-tock’ with Swiss technology heads to space to test the Einstein effect
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On Monday, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the ACES set of atomic clocks to measure the effect of gravity on the passage of time.
Swiss Guard swearing-in ceremony postponed following Pope Francis death
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The swearing-in ceremony of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, which usually takes place on May 6 each year, has been postponed to a date to be announced next autumn.
Swiss medical device maker Ypsomed to sell diabetes business
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Bern-based injection device manufacturer Ypsomed announced on Tuesday that it was selling its diabetes-related activities.
Award-winning Swiss author and scholar Peter von Matt dies aged 87
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The Alemannic writer and former professor of German literature Peter von Matt died on Monday in Zurich at the age of 87, following a long illness.
Swiss foreign minister spoke with Iranian counterpart about US dialogue
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Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has spoken with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi about the current dialogue between the US and Iran.
Swiss foreign minister appeals for cohesion and dialogue at Expo in Japan
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Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis called for cohesion and dialogue at the opening of the Swiss National Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, on Tuesday.
Switzerland postpones launch of emergency number for domestic violence victims
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The launch of the “142” emergency number, which aims to help victims of domestic violence in Switzerland, has been postponed to May 2026.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Swiss Easter processions gain UNESCO stamp
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The Holy Week processions in Mendrisio, in the southern canton of Ticino, have been awarded UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status.
Switzerland targets three more World Heritage sites
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The cabinet has chosen the three sites to add to the country’s existing 12 entries on the World Heritage list. The Salginatobel bridge spanning a valley in Schiers, canton Graubünden, was designed by Robert Maillart. At 90 metres, it was the longest bridge of its kind when it opened in 1930. “It is an architectural…
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As hot and dry 2018 comes to an end, the foliage seems more brilliant than ever. But how well equipped are Switzerland’s trees to survive droughts?
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Like dutiful guards, the trees stand at attention. The peace, the play of shadows and the rustling of the leaves make it a special nature experience.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.