Grand Dixence Dam, Switzerland (tallest dam in Europe)

 

I'm high in the Swiss Alps (7,759 feet) with my bike and in front of me stands Grand Dixence Dam. Rising 935 feet it's the tallest dam in Europe and sixth tallest in the world. 

I've been to Hoover Dam in Nevada/Arizona (the most visited dam in the world) but, it's a mere 732 feet high. 

The building on the left is Le Ritz hotel--which used to house workers. It stands right in front of the dam. The blue structure on the right is where you catch the cable car to take you up near the reservoir. 

The dam was built between 1950-1961 and over 3,000 workers were onsite. Most workers lived in wooden dorm-like buildings where a worker got a bed for 12 hours and then went back to work as another worker took over his bed. However, engineers enjoyed more plush accommodations and envious other workers would call this place Le Ritz. So, when the dam was completed and the building turned into a 60 room hotel--naming it was a no-brainer.  

You can see a cable car passing over. 

So, the dam didn't look that tall until I walked up and touched it. Wow, this sucker is massive. 

It's 2,297 feet wide. Not afraid of heights? Near the top a zip line is strung across and for $25 you can ride the dam's width. 

It's quite a few steep hairpins heading down. It takes more than two hours of cycling to reach the valley floor.

These goats made so much noise I had to stop and say "hi". 

Passed through beautiful mountain villages.

Liked their patio area.

How the heck did this ugly brutalism structure get built in a mountain village? I hope the mayor got canned.

Right behind and all around the ugly brutalism structure are mountain chalets--most more than 100 years old. 

There's been a drought in Switzerland and not much grass. Looking over the other side of the valley I see big patches of green. Golf course? I ask a local and learn farmers have been using sprinklers to grow grass to feed cows.  

Waldegg Castle (near Solothurn, Switzerland)

 

Built in 1686 as the summer residence for the Besenval family, the Baroque castle was only two miles from the family's main house in Solothurn's old town. The family's wealth came from the salt trade and the mercenary business with France. As mentioned in earlier post, from 1530-1792 France's ambassador to Switzerland called Solothurn home. Back in those days France would hire mercenaries (soldiers) to help fight its battles. This was very lucrative to those Swiss (like the Besenval family) who could gather up fighters. At one point in 1678 about 25,000 Swiss mercenaries fought for King Louis XlV of France.  

This is the left side view of the front (can't get the whole front of castle in one photo as it's too wide). 

This is right side of the front.

They had a sense of humor--notice shutters with monkey faces.

This is the long tree-lined drive you drive up to reach castle. 

One of the bedrooms.

Closer view of bed. 

This is pretty funny.  I've been to hundreds of museums and normally placards in multiple languages tell you not to touch or sit plus, pieces of rope are placed across so no one's puts their fanny on the bed or furniture. Here, they've spread dried pointed leaves on the furniture (see bed in previous photo). 

View from the upstairs window toward English garden.

Same photo as previous photo as I goofed and to delete photo requires deleting the whole post and starting over. 

View to the left from upstairs window. Farmland still surrounds castle. 

Garden on backside of castle. In 1963 the Canton of Solothurn took over the property (Switzerland has cantons--similar to states in USA). Members of the founding family still live in the east wing of the castle. 

Solothurn, Switzerland (Part 2)

 

I'm eight blocks from Solothurn's old town. This is the front of Blumenstein Castle. Built 1725-1728 for Governor Franz Heinrich von Staeffis-Mollondin as a summer residence it was originally situated in the midst of a terraced 49-acre site. In 1952 Solothurn bought the place and since it has been the site of the Historical Museum of Solothurn. 

   

Blumenstein Castle occupies a prime site. When the woman at the front counter says it was built as a summer residence I laugh and say, "it's only eight blocks from the old town". She explains that back in the 1700's the old town had raw sewage in the streets, it was smelly, hot, people lived packed together and this summer residence was indeed an escape from all that.     

The Aare River flows past Solothurn. 

Another beautiful fountain.

A close-up shows the amazing detail. 

Another view of the fountain. 

Signs showing directions for cyclists AND for roller blades. You wanna roller blade to Biel/Bienne? You have 20 miles ahead of you.  

About a half-block down from Solothurn's Cathedral stands the Church of the Jesuits. Built between 1680-1689 it's regarded as one of Switzerland's most beautiful Baroque buildings. This is its interior. 

Another fountain. I believe this is blind justice. 

Blind justice has some real characters underneath her. 

View of Aare River with a slew of eating places on the left side. 

Another view of Aare River with a still standing medieval tower. 

Solothurn, Switzerland (Part 1)

 

I'm in the German-speaking, northwest part of Switzerland about an hour's drive from Zurich. Solothurn, population 16,000, has a very impressive medieval old town--most of it built between 1530-1792. This is Bienne gate.

This formidable medieval tower stands about 30 feet from Bienne gate and is now used as a small concert venue. 

The other side of Bienne gate.

The town has an astonishing collection of fountains dating back to the 1600's.

You have to get really close to see the details on the fountain. 

That's Solothurn Cathedral occupying the high ground at the end of the street. 

Steps leading up to the cathedral. 

Interior of Solothurn Cathedral. 

Another beautiful fountain spewing out cold water.

Again, you need to get close-up to appreciate the decorations. 

It looks like a church but, it's Solothurn's town hall building (dates back to 14th century). 

Still have part of the town's medieval fortifications. 

This is Basel gate with the cathedral's tower behind it. 

Another watch tower. Later used as prison. 

So, how does Solothurn manage to have these impressive fountains (at least 10)--which was a way of showing off the town's wealth? From 1530-1792 Solothurn was the seat of the French Embassy--making it the hub of economic, political and cultural relations between the Old Swiss Confederacy and the Kingdom of France. These relationships brought power and influence to the ruling families.  

What is the soldier doing atop this fountain?

He's ripping open a lion's mouth with his bare hands--what a macho man!