St. Moritz 2007 – Grand Hotel des Bains / Kempinski

St. Moritz 2007 – Grand Hotel des Bains / Kempinski

Originally uploaded by let².

St. Moritz 2007, Switzerland – Grand Hotel des Bains / Kempinski

The Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains is located next to the old “Mauritius” spring, the origin of St. Moritz.

Since two to three thousand years ago mankind has been drinking from the sour water springs of St Moritz. The iron spring was discovered during the Bronze Age and encapsulated in a well that was used until 1907. In 1553, Paracelsus von Hohenheim, visited the mineral spring of St Moritz and immediately recognized the medical benefits of such a spring which he then described in his medical writings. His writings are said to be the first known and well preserved medical writings describing the “Sanct Mauritz” sour water spring. In Parcacelsus’s subsequent writings, he detailed his preference of the St Moritz iron spring in comparison to other similar springs throughout Europe.

It was through the discovery of the mineral source more than 3.460 years ago that St. Moritz and the Engadin became popular for summer tourism. Even at the time of the Belle Époque this monumental and imposing luxury hotel, equipped with gas in 1874 and with electricity in 1888 (!), attracted people of high and highest rank, royalties, politicians and artists from all over the world, seeking and finding health and rest here.

Switzerland – Geneva / Brunswick Monument

Switzerland

Originally uploaded by letlet.

Switzerland 2004,Geneva – Brunswick Monument

Distinguished linguist, outstanding horseman and musician, Charles d’Este-Guelph, Duke of Brunswick, was also eccentric and paranoiac.

Born in 1804, dethroned and chased from his country in 1830, he took refuge in Paris. A talented investor, he amassed a tremendous fortune there.

But he spent the last three years of his life in Geneva, where he died in 1873, leaving the city a tidy sum of money.

One of the terms of his will specified that it was to build “a mausoleum in an eminent and worthy location, executed according to the established concept by the finest artists of the time, without consideration of cost”.

This was done, on the superb site along the quay, on the Square des Alpes. As the Duke had stipulated, the monument is an exact replica of the Scaligeri family tomb in Verona, Italy, work of the 14th century.