100 years of Swiss Youth Hostels
| No | English text |
| 0 | 100 years Swiss Youth Hostels Snacking, snoring and snickering together Break free from their middle class shackles by going on hikes and singing together: that’s what young Berliners did around 1900 in the first Wandervogel associations. En route, they needed cheap accommodation. So the first Youth Hostel was created 1914 by schoolteacher Richard Schirrmann in the Altena fortress in North Rhine-Westphalia. In Switzerland young people also longed for time together in nature and looked for “nests”. In 1924, youth organisations created a cooperative in Zurich in order to set up youth hostels. The first hostels were simple, situated in the great outdoors and had large dormitories. These days, the YH tend to be in town centres, offer also double rooms with toilet and showers and in three hostels even a spa. And the guests no longer need to be young: many families and over-60s also love their down-to-earth character. |
| 1 | Love for life Personal YH stories Meeting others is part of the experience. Even today, communal rooms are at the heart of each hostel. There, some may meet the love of their life, new friends for shared adventures. For others, the youth hostel becomes a temporary second home and there are some families who come back every year. A Vespa group travels every year to a hostel and others continue to sleep in dormitories at 84 years old. Settle comfortably in the beds and dive into a personal youth hostel story. |
| 2 | YH bunk beds, from 2012 on Oiled oak (versions in beech, ash and arolla pine) These beds are used in more than 10 youth hostels in Switzerland – also in certain rooms in Burgdorf Design: Swiss Youth Hostels Loan Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism |
| 3 | Pillow case and cover, from 2003 to present Cotton This design allows the creation of various coloured versions with little effort: constant warp, colour of weft threads changes. Design: Nava Sutter Loan Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism The bed linen in the exhibition is changed every week |
| 4 | Lights out at 22.00 Youth tourism In the beginning, everyone had to get stuck in: cooking, cleaning and taking part in construction or renovation. Alcohol and tobacco were banned and rooms for both sexes were strictly separated. Lights out was at 22.00. In the 1970s, backpacking Americans discovered Europe and Swiss youth hostels were jampacked. Expectations changed and the hostels had to adapt. Today, Swiss youth hostels work like modern hotels, but the prices have remained low. This allows young people to discover the world for the first time – like back in the beginning. |
| 5 | Unbreakable Chairs must not break when thrown out a window. This was the request from the Zurich Youth Hostel association in 1962 to the designer Gian Franco Legler. They were ordered for the new Zurich-Wollishofen hostel and for rowdy young people. Legler chose a construction with two metal rings and beech plywood. Today we can say: task perfectly accomplished – the chairs have lasted for 60 years. |
| 6 | YH stool, 1962 Beech plywood and galvanised zinc coated steel tubing Design: Gian Franco Legler Loan Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism |
| 7 | Perfectly functional Between maintaining and creating The first YH buildings were simple and functional. The surrounding nature took centre stage. Regional organisations started early to use historic buildings. In 1973, the Foundation for Social Tourism was born. It gradually took over the houses and chose an architecture respectful towards the sites and towards history. At the end of the 20th century, guests were wanting more comfort, while at the same time ecology and sustainability were becoming more important. On this wall, you’ll see all the diversity of the houses: from the Fällenden youth hostel constructed in 1937 on the shores of Lake Greifensee to the wellnessHostel 4000 that opened in 2014 in Saas-Fee. |
| 8 | Birthday competition How well do you know the architecture of the Swiss Youth Hostels? Test your knowledge in our birthday competition! In front of you is a wall of images showing the hostels in different categories. In each category, match the numbers to a term and write them down on the back of a card. From the correct responses, we’ll randomly select vouchers for a stay in a Youth Hostel in Switzerland. Have fun. |
| 9 | From straw to designer duvets Bed linen as a signature look Sleeping on straw with woollen blankets and large bathrooms were the standard in the first hostels. Over time, the number of beds per bedroom was reduced and the rooms were provided with washbasins. Today, you can choose between a room for two, four or six, sometimes with its own bathroom. For a long time, a cotton sleeping bag has been obligatory. Today, you sleep in clean duvets. The bed linen is produced exclusively for Swiss Youth Hostels and creates recognition in each house. |
| 10 | Checked pattern or subtle circles The first sheets were separated by gender: red and white checks for the girls, blue and white for the boys. Later, little checks gave way to larger checks in red, blue and yellow. For a long time, they brought a bit of colour to the basic YH rooms. At the end of the 1990s, sheets with blue, yellow and green stripes appeared, the work of the textile designer Verena Iff. The current sheets were developed in the Zurich School of Art and Design. The classic design has to match the different houses and different guests. Nava Suter created subtle circles composed by small squares which hark back to the first sheets. |
| 11 | YH blanket, approx. 1924-1960 Wool Many older guests still remember them. The inscription “Feet” indicates correct positioning Loan Swiss National Museum |
| 12 | Pillowcase and cover, 1960-1980 Cotton, red gingham for girls’ rooms, blue gingham for boys’ rooms Loan Swiss National Museum |
| 13 | Pillowcase and cover, approx. 1970-1989 Cotton, large check in primary colours Loan Swiss National Museum |
| 14 | Sleeping bag, from late 1980s to approx. 2000 Cotton, white This sleeping bag was obligatory in many youth hostels until the 1990s. It had to be hired for the stay. Loan Swiss Foundation for Social Tourism |
| 15 | Pillowcase and cover, from 1996 on Cotton, blue background, green and yellow stripes Design: Verena Iff Loan Swiss National Museum |
| 16 | Greetings, Leni A story in twelve postcards Like Leni in 1907, we still write postcards. In Switzerland, they were introduced in 1870 and cost less on sending. They were conceived for a brief greeting, but people soon had more to say. Twelve postcards from the last 120 years give an insight into the history of tourism in Burgdorf and the region. Fictional characters write about what they might have experienced while on holiday in Burgdorf. Postcards from the collection of the Knights’ Hall Association, unless otherwise stated |
| 17 | 07 June 1903 Dear parents, Thank you for your letter, I’m enjoying my holiday very much. Did you know that there is a holiday camp here where poor children can restore their strength and relax? Uncle Ruedi says that Emmental is less well known than Oberland, but also less “English”. We walked as far as Sumiswald, ate trout and then returned by steam train. Yours Leni |
| 18 | 30 March 1914 Dear friends back home, Arrived safely at the new Park Hotel recommended by Ruedi. Played “Lawn Tennis” in the large English park. Have you heard of it? A marvellous English sport. Visited of course also the castle and the historical collection. Maybe the Schiessers would enjoy it? Greetings from Ernst and Hanni |
| 19 | 20 October 1922 Dear Martha, We took the electric railway to the Emmental. Passing by factories and chimneys, we arrived in Burgdorf. Fritz, the old trades unionist, wanted to eat at the union hall Volkshaus. Then we walked to the Rothöhe. On the terrace, tea, beer, bread and cheese. The children liked the animal park: does, deer, exotic hens, llamas and parrots. Yours, your sister Emilia Fritz Schiesser Frieda Dora |
| 20 | 27 May 1931 Dear Otto, Here they’re mastering the nice weather, good beer and the waltz. A business trip brought me to Burgdorf. Martha recommended the Rothöhe to me. But the hotel Guggisberg near the station is better located. So come this weekend! There’s also a collection of curiosities from all over the world. Maybe interesting? The band has just struck up a lively waltz, so goodbye, your Franz |
| 21 | 28 September 1940 Dear Otto, We are staying at Aunt Rösi’s. Today walked to Burgdorf. First stop: cooling off at the baths. In town, we saw the interned Polish, and from the castle the army vehicles at the Schützenmatte. My sister is also writing a postcard to her soldier, then we return to Langnau. Before school, I want to knit you more socks. Yours Ruthli |
| 22 | 19 June 1957 Dear Ruth, We’re sleeping with the four little ones in the Chüehlihus Langnau Youth Hostel. It is by far the only affordable hostel in the region. Now that Peter has 12 days of holidays per year, we have gone on a little trip. In Burgdorf, we visited the fortress of the Zähringen (front). We’re spending a lot of time outdoors so we can go back to work invigorated. Greetings from your colleague Anni with Peter, Ida, Lina, Luzia and Margrit |
| 23 | 23 September 1967 Dear brother, Hi from the campsite! Situated ideally on the road to the south and with a view of the beautifully illuminated castle – thanks for the tip. Our Martin is learning to fish in the Emme. The kids loved the Lützeflüh zoo. Vreneli held hands with Nicky the chimp and Martin stroked Zelda the lioness. A big hug to Anni and the kids, your Helga |
| 24 | 23 July 1973 Dear granny Emilia, I’m enjoying the summer holidays in Burgdorf. I’m giving athletics classes in the youth sports camp. You wouldn’t recognise a lot of it: the Guggi has been knocked down and the Rothöhe burned down in ’72. The Park-Hotel where you slept is now a halfway house for women from Hindelbank prison! Oh well, that’s the way it goes. The trekking passport for Emmental should attract Swiss tourists now. Love Monika |
| 25 | 02 August 1983 Dear sister, Greetings from the ancestral homelands, and to Jürgli and Stéphanie. Our Sandra is doing a theatre course and Michael is learning to radio, with the Burgdorf Holiday Passport. Next week, they’ll be with the Scouts and on a hike in Tenero and we are leaving for the club in Greece. Are you coming over the autumn holidays? We could take a romantic steam train ride through Emmental. The Bernese Oberland isn’t the only place. Yours Béatrice |
| 26 | 29 July 1992 Dear mum and dad, A big hello from Emmental. In Burgdorf, we had to try three hotels before finding a room. Aunt Béa showed us the new museum of popular music and traditional costumes. Apart from that, not much is happening in Burgdorf – there are very few tourists. We’re doing a lot of mountain biking and went as far as the cheese making demo in Affoltern. Béa says that Emmental cheese has to shine once more! Yours Stéphanie and Markus |
| 27 | 05 August 2002 Dear godmother Monika, The kids love the Waldegg campsite beside the Emme. We heard that there was very nearly a youth hostel in in the old abattoir. The neighbours had suggested this instead of a noisy youth centre. At any rate there aren’t enough affordable beds here. But money and willingness weren’t enough and the house remains empty. However, we visited the new Franz Gertsch museum, quite cool. Yours Michael and Julia |
| 28 | 05 July 2021 Dear mum, We’re cycling along the Heart Route from Lake Constance to Burgdorf and are staying at Hotel Orchidee which has opened recently. In what used to be the Kornhaus Museum they’re now brewing beer (talking of popular culture…). In the old abattoir now you’ll find the Luginbühl museum. And because the prison has left the castle, there’ll be a youth hostel. Nina enjoyed herself at the Kambly Experience and the Chüechlihus Museum. Love Stéphanie Markus and Nina |
| 29 | Greetings from the castle This time, the youth hostel has worked: in 2020, the renovated castle opened its doors and is a unique combination of museum, hostel and restaurant. Tourism is growing elsewhere in Emmental: cyclists enjoy the additions to the Heart Route, begun here, and many themed trails have been created. Visitors from all over Switzerland are discovering that the old town of Burgdorf is a real gem. Did you do anything in Burgdorf or Emmental that you’d like to share? We’re providing a free postcard so you can send your own personal greetings. Stamps are available at Reception |
This exhibition was supported by:
Erziehungs-, Kultur- und Umweltschutzdepartement des Kantons Graubünden
