Switzerland
City
Zug is self-confident and knows what it has to offer: a high quality of life, a view of the Rigi and Pilatus, and a jewel of a historic centre. It’s a stylish town that values public art. This goes together with the town’s business world, which lends the pretty town a certain international flavour: well over 100 nations in Zug greet each other with a friendly “Grüezi”. History tells us that the town was founded in the early 13th century by the counts of Kyburg. The 52-metre-high Zytturm also dates back to this period. Initially built as a simple gateway in the old town wall, over the centuries it was expanded and its height increased until it attained the form we see today, with its oriel windows and steep hipped roof. In 1574 the great clock was built into it, giving the tower its present name. Under this main clock there is an astronomical timepiece with four hands indicating the week, the phase of the moon, the month, as well as whether it is currently a leap year.
Top events
On the Wednesday before St. Agatha's Day, the millers, bakers, and confectioners, who together form a brotherhood and guild, meet for a service of remembrance and thereafter enjoy a meal together. Later, the children congregate in the square at the Fishmarket and begin to shout Bäckermöhli, or baker's meal! The guild members respond by throwing pastries, oranges, and little sausages from the balcony to the children below. A traditional carnival figure in Zug is Greth Schell, who carries her husband home in a basket on her back after he has had too much to drink at the inn. On Carnival Monday, she parades through the streets of Zug, accompanied by seven colorfully dressed Lööli, or fools; for almost a century, the joiners, turners, and coopers have practiced this custom. Similar to the Bäckermöhli, the children receive goodies upon their shouting Greth Schällebei, or Greth Schell. It used to be customary at the stroke of midnight on Shrove Tuesday for dancing and masquerading to stop. The male dancer then invited his female partner to have a snack and, on the following Sunday, she reciprocated by serving him coffee or wine with doughnuts. Friends and relatives were informed and came to serenade the young couple in return for doughnuts and wine. As they often asked for meh Krapfe, or more doughnuts, the custom received the name Chropflimeh. Since World War II, the traditional costume group of the city of Zug has been responsible for the organization of this event. They arrange for groups of singers, mostly in costume, to go to the homes of couples who would like a traditional serenade and are willing to serve doughnuts and wine from the window for it.
Town square
The last time a people’s assembly was held at this historic location in the Old Town was back in 1847. Today, there are cafés and restaurants here and the square affords magnificent views of the lake and mountains. Each Wednesday evening in summer, visitors and passers-by enjoy the musical offerings presented by various musical groups. In addition to these open-air concerts, many other events are also held on the town square. Examples are the Old City Market, the Chriesi (cherry) day, the Chriesi run banquet, the Chriesi market and the 1 August celebrations.