What the Swiss do for their benches

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February 2018 was extremely cold, as shown by this icy seat in Nyon, overlooking Lake Geneva Keystone

Waiting their turn: benches in Geneva's Parc des Bastions Keystone

Chilling out in the snow-covered hamlet Bodme in canton Valais © KEYSTONE / GAETAN BALLY

Hikers on Mount Rigi in central Switzerland © KEYSTONE / GAETAN BALLY

Lake Neuchâtel burst its banks in 2015 Keystone

Looking down from Mount Vilan in eastern Switzerland Keystone

Swiss German for 'the little bench for when work is over' Keystone

Tannalp between Engelberg and Melchsee-Frutt © KEYSTONE / GAETAN BALLY

Ibergeregg on a sunny December day Keystone

Watching a football match for free in Romont © KEYSTONE / SALVATORE DI NOLFI

The view onto Zurich's snow-covered Old Town from the Lindenhof © KEYSTONE / CHRISTIAN BEUTLER

A vandalised bench in Meisterschwanden Kantonspolizei AG

In 2001, more than 1,000 unusual benches were installed as part of "BenchArt" Keystone

A picnic table and benches in Zurich Keystone

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Benches are considered cultural heritage in Switzerland. But because the state is trying to save money, the private sector is increasingly having to step in. (All images: Keystone) 

For 200 years, a public bench has welcomed weary hikers at the Giessbach Falls above Lake Brienz. It was, however, an urban invention for rich people: in the middle of the 19^th century, benches were installed in public parks but ended up being used mostly by the middle classes going for a stroll. 

Since then, benches have become a Swiss tradition, with a “Bench DayExternal link” being held on June 17 as part of cultural heritage year 2018. 

But maintaining public benches costs money. Last year, the city of Winterthur removed several of them because the authorities had to tighten their belts. Lucerne wanted to do the same three years ago, but local artists and carpenters jumped in and looked after the 1,300 or so benches for free. 

Countless volunteer associations across the country work to install and maintain new benches. In many places, including WinterthurExternal link, citizens can become “patrons” and in return for a donationExternal link will have their name written on an inscription. 

The Association for the Promotion of Swiss Bench CultureExternal link has gone a step further: it has created an online mapExternal link, which shows the location of benches all around the country, with information on accessibility and the view. The public can share photos, stories and information on their favourites.