The Trafer Trail

(This post should have been posted in June!) When I was in PA with Aunt Rhoda, Aunt Myrtle and Aunt Verna, we spent some time discussing what all they wanted to see and do while in Switzerland. One of the most important things was to visit not only the Anabaptist Caves, but other important Anabaptist (or Traüfers in German) sites. As you can see in the photo, there is even a trail marking important Anabaptist sites in this part of Switzerland.

And so on the first full Saturday that they were here we headed out for some of the sites in the Emmental region as listed in the book which they had sent me before their visit, A Tour of Ten Important Anaptist and Reformed Sites in Rural Switzerland.

The Emmental region of Switzerland, in at least topogrpahy reminds me very much of southeastern PA. Beautiful rolling hills and farmland. Of course the Swiss architecture in the villages makes it clear, in PA we are not! Emmental is also the region which makes the cheese most Americans think of when they think of "Swiss Cheese." Each region makes its own type of cheese, but the cheese with holes that is labeled Swiss in US groceries stores is similar to the cheese made in the Emmentaler region.
We headed first to Trachselwald Castle. Initially begun in the 2nd half of the 12th century, this castle was expanded to the size it is today during the 14th century. It was here that Anabaptists were housed, because of their refusal to renounce their faith, before being taken to Bern (Swiss capital) for judgment. Local authorities have recently mounted plaques to explain this part of Swiss history. There are also audio displays which provide with more history (if you understand German!) as well as the singing of an Anabaptist hymn. To this day one section the castle is used as a prison, "not for hardened criminals, but for drug users" according to a display at the castle.

They have retained the wooden beds, arm and leg irons. It brought to mind the many through the centuries who have been willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. Those of whom this world is not worthy.

After trying to find the Hans Haslibachor Hof, home of the last martyr in the canton of Bern by following the Traüferpfad, we decided we were heading in the wrong direction and so went back to the car and found it using GPS. This home is still owned by a family member who was his direct descendent. We snapped a few pictures and got back in the car. But our detour had made for a nice walk and we enjoyed walking by this home with its wonderful display of cow bells.

Afterwards, we drove to the Langnau Mennonite Church, considered to be the "oldest continuously operating Mennonite Congregation in the world." It is thought to have begun in 1527 or 1528. We strolled through the adjoining Friedhof (cemetary---took me awhile to find out what this word was. I frequently saw it on signposts in every town. It wasn't until on one of my daily walks, I past the town's cemetary and again saw the word.)

We drove back home, via Stallikon at enjoyed dinner at Buchenegg Restaurant, overlooking Zürichsee