Saint-Ursanne

The town is nestled in a sunny valley between wooded hills and the River Doubs. According to legend, the little town of Saint-Ursanne was founded by the Irish monk Ursicinus, who lived as a hermit in a cave in this isolated spot. In his honour, the chapel of the Hermitage Saint-Ursanne was built, which can still be visited today alongside the cave.

A further highlight is the collegiate church with its massive bell tower. Initially a religious centre, Saint-Ursanne grew into a city dedicated mainly to agriculture and fishing.  It suffered two major fires and was not spared from the plague. After a flood washed away the bridge, the Pont Saint-Jean was built in the 18th century. It leads across the river via four massive stone arches to the medieval centre of the city, which is still defined by the layout of the old fortifications. Saint-Ursanne is characterised by its three gates and narrow streets and squares lined with rows of houses, in particular the one between the collegiate church and the town hall, whose fountain features a statue of Saint Ursicinus.

In contrast to the medieval town, on the other side of the river, there is an interesting small workers’ settlement from 1918 – a testament to the area’s industrial past. Just outside is the impressive railway viaduct, which was built in 1877.

 

ISOS
ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.