In-depth guided tours teach even locals new things about their city

Anyone looking at number 32 Ägeristrasse in Zug might think the building is ready for demolition, bearing in mind its crumbling walls and hollow interior, but in fact it is a very good example of a building of log construction, dating back to the Middle Ages.
 
Expert guide Anette JeanRichard of the Office for the Preservation of Historic Monuments and Archaeology, which comes under the remit of the Department of Inner-Cantonal Affairs, went on to explain in further detail all about the building, during the course of what was the third in a series of thematic guided tours of the city this year. Not only does she reveal points of architectural interest but aspects relating to economic, social and cultural matters, too. “In mediaeval times, buildings such as this one were not immoveable goods, but moveable ones,” she said, as she explained how there was a time when there was a shortage of wood in the canton and its export was banned by the government. “When people moved house, they did not just take their furnishings with them, but the whole house, too,” she said.
 
Moving on to another old building, this time the Haus zur Meise (titmouse) at number 16 Unter Altstadt, JeanRichard (as seen in the main photograph) went on to explain that, when viewed externally, one would never realise that it originated in the fourteenth century. In contrast to the house of log construction in Ägeristrasse, this one was built using post construction methods, with the posts themselves acting as the supporting scaffold of the building. Having been renovated many times, the building appears well looked after, with only the threshold and remains of original posts on the façade revealing its mediaeval origins.
 
As to the reaction of some of those on the guided tour, Peggy Schmid, 53, of Zug said she was amazed at what she had learned about the town where she herself grew up. “When you think we walk by these fascinating building every day, without a thought for their history,” she said.
 
The Zug Guided Tour Association has been arranging these thematic tours, six each year, since 2013. “What we aim to do is select specific buildings of interest and explain all about them to those interested in a very detailed way,” said Ueli Fritsche, who heads the guides’ team. “This is why we only engage expert professional guides like JeanRichard,” he said. “She has written a doctoral thesis about ancient log construction in the canton of Zug, so she is the perfect person to show people round.”
 
One occasional participant is Oskar Rickenbacher, also from Zug, who collects old postcards of the town. He really appreciates all the detail JeanRichard goes into when taking tours. “She really brings it all across very well,” he said.
 
The next in-depth tours relates to the buildings on Postplatz, including the parliamentary chamber of the government building. Anyone wishing to take part should meet in front of the government building itself (second photograph) at 7 pm on Monday 7 September.