Globes relating to Swiss culture and tradition
Switzerland has a spectacular landscape with the snow-capped Alps and grassy hills contrasting with the clear lakes and sheltered vallies. This has helped lead to distinctive culture and customs. Some of the main examples associated with Switzerland are celebrated in the snow globes below
The alphorn consists of a straight long wooden natural horn traditionally of pine tree, though often now made from a spruce or fir tree. The first mention of alphorns is from 1527. They were used to call cows from across the pastures, ad communicate with other herdsmen and people in the vallies and mountains. It has never undergone any changes in structure and is essentially the same instrument as in 1527. it is the Swiss national symbol.
Switzerland has more than 700,000 cows in the country. They are an important part of the country in historical, economic, and sentimental terms. The Braunvieh, also known as "brown cattle," is an original Swiss cow breed suitable for both milk and meat production
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The cable cars are a fundamental part of Swiss cultural heritage. Feats of engineering and innovation allow passengers to rise high above the vallies. Others are used for local transportation of goods and supplies. The first passenger cable-car was built in Grindelwald in 1905.
The tradition of erecting crosses at mountain summits or passes dates back to at least the 4th century. Some were for religious reasons and others were supposed to keep away lightning, storms, and hail. Others acted as boundary markers for Alpine pastures or communities. The construction of summit crosses is still occurring to this day
The Edelweiss, (Leontopodium alpinum), is a Swiss Alps mountain flower, related to Daisys. It has furry white petals. The literal translation means “noble white" and is first mentioned by this name in the 1700s. Edelweiss are the national flower of Switzerland. They are in full bloom in summer and are a beautiful sight in the Alps meadows and mountains.
The common blue flowers in the Swiss Alps are Gentians and are found amongst primroses, heathers, daisies, bellflowers, and buttercups.
Traditional Swiss chalets are built using wood and other natural materials such as stone, with walls of thick timber. They usually have a square structure with a sloping roof designed to actually collect snow to help in insulation. They developed from log huts used long ago by farmers for parts of the year. the word chalet was first used in 1328. The traditional style developed towards the end of the 19th century. This chalet style is now an iconic part of the cuckoo clocks available in Swiss tourist shops.
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The traditional dress for men in Switzerland is based on the alpine regions and for men consists of:
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Lederhosen - tough, knee-length trousers perfect for the mountains.
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Warm knee-high socks made from wool for warmth.
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Black shoes.
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White short-sleeved shirt.
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Hats change with the year - summer, cool, straw hats. Winter, the hats are shorter-brimmed with felt to keep warm.
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Women wear a full-length skirt with a tight top that is short sleeved.
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Shoes are slip on and usually black like the mens.
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Bright coloued tights.
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Aprons protect the outfits
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The colors Swiss women choose to wear vary from canton to canton and even show their marital status.
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Women add embroidery to Sunday outfits to make them unique.
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The Saint Bernard dog originally brought to Switzerland by the Romans has been long bred on the Alpine passes by monks, for guarding, being able to carry loads, and later also as
as search dogs. The barrell of brandy around their necks
is the invention of an artist named Edwin Henry Landseer.
who in 1820, produced a work showing two rescue
Saint Bernards with barells standing over a fallen traveler in the mountains.
Switzerland’s largest hoofed animal, the red deer was driven to extinction in the 19th century because of overhunting.
After a ban on hunting red deer was implemented they returned to Switzerland from Austria and are about 35000 strong in the Alps and parks. Adults have reddish coats, and fine antlers. Young deer, or fawns, have no antlers and lighter coats