THE CANTON OF ZUG
Savelinus alpinus? If you’ve visited Zug you’ll recognize this as Latin for the delicious Lake of Zug Arctic Char. Swiss Germans call the fish, which is similar to trout, “Zuger Rötel”, Germans would recognize him as “Saibling” and French speakers would name him “omble chevalier.” Regardless of the name, this alone is an excellent reason to visit Zug and enjoy a great meal at one of the fine restaurants of the region. You should really top off the meal with a glass of the local Zuger Kirsch -for digestive purposes of course. Rötel can also be found in Lake Ägeri. Speaking of lakes…Switzerland might be landlocked, but it does have a small Navy with patrol boats on several of its lakes and a merchant marine fleet flying the square flag. Swiss love lakes. If there is a lake in Switzerland large enough to accommodate a ship with a nice restaurant, you’ll find one. The Canton of Zug is no exception. You’ll find them on the lake of Zug as well Lake Ägeri.
And now a bit of history. In the American Revolutionary War the battles of Lexington & Concord in April of 1775 triggered a series of events which lead to our independence. In Zug, this past November 15th, the 700th anniversary of the overwhelming military success against the Austrian Habsburgs at the Morgarten Pass along Lake Ägeri was celebrated. It gave the Swiss confederates the reputation as fierce warriors and thereafter, for the first time, the confederation as a whole became known as Schwyz.
In many Swiss cities & towns, February is synonymous with Carnival or “Fasnacht” as it’s known in German. Zug is no exception, but it does have two unique traditions you’ll find nowhere else. If you are newly married or an engaged couple, you’ll be serenaded by groups of singers who you in turn will reward with “Chrööpfe” (donuts) and wine after they have performed the Chrööpflimee song. The other custom has to do with the picture of the fountain you saw on the Spotlight page. According legend, Margarethe Schell had to frequently extract her husband from his drinking haunts & carry him home in a basket. At this festival which is organized by the guilds of carpenters, turners, & coopers, children gather around the fountain shouting “Greth Schällebei” and catch oranges & candy.
We hope that you enjoyed this brief introduction to one of the smallest Cantons in Switzerland. Before leaving you, we’d be remiss not to invite you to visit the Höllgrotten Caves near the City of Baar. You don’t have to be a spelunker to enjoy them.
Check out the Videos & websites by clicking on the highlighted links above.
Savelinus alpinus? If you’ve visited Zug you’ll recognize this as Latin for the delicious Lake of Zug Arctic Char. Swiss Germans call the fish, which is similar to trout, “Zuger Rötel”, Germans would recognize him as “Saibling” and French speakers would name him “omble chevalier.” Regardless of the name, this alone is an excellent reason to visit Zug and enjoy a great meal at one of the fine restaurants of the region. You should really top off the meal with a glass of the local Zuger Kirsch -for digestive purposes of course. Rötel can also be found in Lake Ägeri. Speaking of lakes…Switzerland might be landlocked, but it does have a small Navy with patrol boats on several of its lakes and a merchant marine fleet flying the square flag. Swiss love lakes. If there is a lake in Switzerland large enough to accommodate a ship with a nice restaurant, you’ll find one. The Canton of Zug is no exception. You’ll find them on the lake of Zug as well Lake Ägeri.
And now a bit of history. In the American Revolutionary War the battles of Lexington & Concord in April of 1775 triggered a series of events which lead to our independence. In Zug, this past November 15th, the 700th anniversary of the overwhelming military success against the Austrian Habsburgs at the Morgarten Pass along Lake Ägeri was celebrated. It gave the Swiss confederates the reputation as fierce warriors and thereafter, for the first time, the confederation as a whole became known as Schwyz.
In many Swiss cities & towns, February is synonymous with Carnival or “Fasnacht” as it’s known in German. Zug is no exception, but it does have two unique traditions you’ll find nowhere else. If you are newly married or an engaged couple, you’ll be serenaded by groups of singers who you in turn will reward with “Chrööpfe” (donuts) and wine after they have performed the Chrööpflimee song. The other custom has to do with the picture of the fountain you saw on the Spotlight page. According legend, Margarethe Schell had to frequently extract her husband from his drinking haunts & carry him home in a basket. At this festival which is organized by the guilds of carpenters, turners, & coopers, children gather around the fountain shouting “Greth Schällebei” and catch oranges & candy.
We hope that you enjoyed this brief introduction to one of the smallest Cantons in Switzerland. Before leaving you, we’d be remiss not to invite you to visit the Höllgrotten Caves near the City of Baar. You don’t have to be a spelunker to enjoy them.
Check out the Videos & websites by clicking on the highlighted links above.
