Zug and the limestone caves of Baar

Excursion in Zug

Tour Price : Will agreed Duration : 4 hours Languages: English, German, French

The historic town centre of Zug is an idyllic place with its oriels, colourful housefronts & small alleys. But the story behind this town is much more eventful, than its peaceful appearance of today suggests.

What is interesting to see and discover???

Castle Museum From 1st October 2012 the Museum Burg Zug will be closed for refurbishment and the setting-up of a new permanent exhibition. The re-opening will take place by the end of November 2013. Clock Tower This landmark is 52 metres high and rises above the other towers of the town. The lower part was built simply as a passage-way through the town wall. Hans Felder snr, from Bavaria, a master builder, who also built St. Oswald's Church, added the tower in 1478-1480. Town Hall At the end of the 15th century, the town of Zug became relatively wealthy when the Swiss won the Burgundian war and brought home rich booty.

The town hall was built between 1505 and 1509 in late-gothic style, and the ground floor was originally used as a market place. Art Gallery Since 1990 the baroque "village manor" has been the home of the Art Gallery. Five to six exhibitions are shown annually, dedicated to present-day and 20th century art. The main focus of the collection is on Swiss Surrealism and Phantastic, as well as art from Zug and Central Switzerland. Museum of Prehistory This refurbished Museum appeals equally to children, teenagers and adults. St. Oswald's Church On the 18th May 1478 the people of Zug, under the direction of Hans Felder, laid the foundation stones for this late-gothic church. The single-nave church was completed in five years and in the mid-16th century was extended to a three-nave basilica.

The Chapel of Our Dear Lady The Chapel marks the southern boundary of the lower old town and was built on to the first town wall in the 13th century, being documented for the first time in 1266. The Powder Tower Standing at the south-easterly corner of the former town fortification, the Powder Tower was built in the years 1522 to 1532. Its outer diameter measures almost 14 m. and the inner diameter 8.5 m. The thickness of the lower part of the wall is at least 2.70 m, tapering to 1.80 m higher up, and the marks where the demolished town wall had adjoined it can still be seen. The Huwiler Tower This is the smallest of the four outer town wall towers. Its exact age is unknown, but cannot be later than 1524/25. The tower was known for a long time as the "Hof" tower, and was called that until it was acquired by a citizen named Huwiler in 1697. The Capuchin Tower Standing at the northeast corner of the fortification walls, this is the highest of the towers and was the home of the Zug high guard. The building was completed in 1526, as is verified by the date on the door under the bricked-up hatch. The Knopfli Tower This was built as a simple round tower in about 1525, but the exact date is not known, and it is named after the landowner of the time. What were women?s lives like in medieval times? What has changed in their quality of life, culture and existence since 1435 when the lower street of the Old Town sank into the lake?

Why is the most well-known Zug carnival figure - Greth Schell - a woman? All these questions and others will be answered during a tour of the Old Town for women. Look at the historic Old Town of Zug through the eyes of a woman from medieval times and learn what kind of things preoccupied them from that time up to the present day. Learn how much a maid earned and why the Town Hall in the Fischmarkt was of particular significance to women. Was the battle at Morgarten the first fight for freedom by the confederates or was it just a local act of vengeance? Discover facts and fiction, legends and memories

Zug Kirsch This tradition has been continued as an independent family business, with the motto "Our quality is our future". The Etter familiy will be pleased to give you an introduction to the art of distilling the famous Zug Kirsch and other fine liquors made of fruit, while showing you around the distillery.

The caves, after millenia of being formed by calcareous springs, were discovered at the end of the 19th century, while tuff was being mined from a nearby quarry. Together with an expert guide, you will explore the spectacular limestone caves. The stalagmites and stalactites in their various hues give each cave its own character. This fairytale world is well lit and the caves are connected by good pathways.

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