Fourteen short films revisit the original sites of selected Ballenberg buildings to see how they look today, providing an excellent illustration of how Swiss settlements have changed over the last sixty years.
Ballenberg Buildings – Changing Settlements
Farmhouse from Therwil, Basel-Country, 1675
What can you see now in Therwil where this farmhouse used to stand?
In what was once a bustling parlour, you can now get a haircut and a drink.
Farmhouse with Pigeonry from Lancy, Geneva, 1762/1796/1820
What can you see now in Lancy where this farmhouse with pigeonry used to stand?
What used to be a stable for animals is now a depot for trams.
Vintner’s House from Richterswil, Zurich, around 1780
What can you see now in Richterswil where this vintner’s house used to stand?
The timber frame struts have been replaced by multiple storeys.
Granary from Wellhausen, Thurgovia, 18th Century
What can you see now in Wellhausen where this granary used to stand?
Where grain was once left in the rack, now there are lovers in the sack.
Sawmill from Rafz, Zurich, 19th Century
What can you see now in Rafz where this sawmill used to stand?
Where wood used to be sawn, now tyres are changed.
Public Works Barn from Aarau, Argovia, 1711
What can you see now in Aarau where this public works barn used to stand?
Once it was wooden planks that were densely packed together here, now it’s the inhabitants.
Hay Barn from Spiringen, Uri, 19th Century
What can you see now in Spiringen where this hay barn used to stand?
Where hay once lay waiting to be used as cattle fodder, now mountaineers wait for the cable car.
Swiss Open-Air Museum BallenbergBarn from Meggen, Lucerne, 1501/1799
What can you see now in Meggen where this hay barn used to stand?
Where juice was once fermented, now the property is rented.
Dwelling from Malvaglia/Serravalle, Ticino, 1515/1564
What can you see now in Malvaglia where this dwelling used to stand?
Where people and cattle once lived under the same roof, now the wilderness has swept through.
Farmstead from Novazzano, Ticino, 13th–19th Century
What can you see now in Novazzano where this farmstead used to stand?
Where labourers once passed the night, now road and rail traffic zooms by.
Smithy from Bodio, Ticino, 19th Century
What can you see now in Bodio where this smithy used to stand?
The steady ringing of the smith’s hammer has been replaced by the roar of trains thundering by.
Dwelling from Brienz, Berne, 1776
What can you see now in Brienz where this dwelling used to stand?
What used to be a roadhouse is now a post office.
Rope Walk from Unterägeri, Zug, 1897
What can you see now in Unterägeri where this rope-walk used to stand?
Where ropes were once twisted and wound, now people unwind.
Alpine Settlement, Alp huts from Champatsch/Val Mustair, Grisons, 19th Century
What’s now to be found at the Champatsch Alpine settlement where these mountain buildings once stood?
Where cows once mooed, dairymen chatted, and milk churns clanked, now there is silence and seclusion.
