The Old Swiss Confederacy
Many stories – some verified, others fabled – surround the emergence of Switzerland as a nation. Documents from the period prior to the first centralised state of 1798 can also be found in the Swiss Federal Archives.
It is very difficult to establish where Switzerland's origins really lie. In prehistoric times, Celtic Helvetians and other tribes resided in regions that today are a part of Switzerland. The Federal Charter of 1291 and the legend of William Tell are also parts of the historical events and myths surrounding the country's origins. The Swiss Cross, once an identifying military feature of the Swiss Confederation, did not become the official national emblem of modern Switzerland until 1889.
The Swiss Federal Archives have their origins in the Helvetian Republic (1798-1803) and therefore predominantly hold documents dating back to the formation of the first centralised Swiss state. However, the archives also hold a number of documents originating from the period predating 1798.
The Confederation before 1798: Switzers, Swiss and Helvetians
The origins of modern Switzerland date back to the developments that took place between the founding of the Helvetian Republic in 1798 and the founding of the Federal State in 1848. The history of the Confederation, however, is substantially longer. The Swiss Federal Archives contain various documents from the time before 1798.
White on Red: the Swiss Cross
The history of Switzerland's emblem can be traced back over a number of centuries. The origins of the Swiss Cross date back to a military standard. Over the course of time, the white cross on a red background became the symbol of the modern Confederation and Switzerland’s national emblem.
Swiss Federal Archives
Archivstrasse 24
CH - 3003 Bern