Gruyères: A Swiss village where nature and history coexist
Published: 21 Apr. 2025, 00:05
Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI
Kim Bong-ryeol
The author is an architect and professor emeritus at Korea National University of Arts.
Nestled in the Alpine valleys of western Switzerland, the medieval village of Gruyères in the canton of Fribourg offers a quiet yet vivid counterpoint to the urban sprawl of continental Europe. While cities across the continent grew through commerce and crafts during the Middle Ages, Switzerland’s mountainous terrain fostered the development of small pastoral communities. Gruyères remains one of the country’s most emblematic highland settlements, shaped as much by nature as by tradition.
![A view of the central plaza and surrounding buildings in Gruyères, Switzerland. [KIM BONG-RYEOL]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2025/04/21/66310a15-9e13-428b-8952-12099958ba63.jpg)
The village’s name is said to originate from a legend dating back to the 4th century BCE, when a mythical king of the Vandals captured a crane — grue in French — and used it as a messenger. Centuries later, in 1138, the Count of Gruyères founded a settlement at an altitude of 810 meters, building a walled village anchored by a gently sloped ridge. At its heart, a broad rectangular plaza became the town’s focal point, flanked by three-story buildings that served as inns, homes and merchant shops for what was then a market village of about 100 residents.
At one end of the plaza stands a modest chapel and church. Just behind them sits Château de Gruyères, the former residence of the ruling count. Despite its status, the château does not impose itself on the landscape. Rather than a towering fortress, it is a compact, almost unassuming structure with low ramparts, simple turrets and a panoramic view of the Alps from nearly every room. Its terraced garden, arranged in the formal French style, offers the only touch of grandeur.
The spatial harmony of Gruyères is striking. The concave shape of the main plaza seems to draw in the mountainous surroundings, enhancing the sense of continuity between the village and the terrain. Walking along its open ends, one feels not confined but gently directed toward the natural world. The buildings themselves echo the peaks surrounding them, reinforcing a visual rhythm between human settlement and alpine landscape.
Yet Gruyères is more than a preserved artifact of feudal Europe. It remains a living village, closely tied to its artisanal roots. Its namesake cheese — one of the most renowned hard cheeses in the world — is a staple of Swiss fondue and is still sold in local shops. Nearby, the Cailler chocolate factory, one of Switzerland’s most iconic confectionery brands, operates a museum and production site.
In a striking blend of tradition and contemporary culture, a villa near the château now houses the museum and studio of H.R. Giger, the Oscar-winning designer of Alien. This coexistence of natural beauty, medieval heritage, and modern creativity makes Gruyères not merely a place to visit but a place that continues to evolve without losing its essence.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
The author is an architect and professor emeritus at Korea National University of Arts.
Nestled in the Alpine valleys of western Switzerland, the medieval village of Gruyères in the canton of Fribourg offers a quiet yet vivid counterpoint to the urban sprawl of continental Europe. While cities across the continent grew through commerce and crafts during the Middle Ages, Switzerland’s mountainous terrain fostered the development of small pastoral communities. Gruyères remains one of the country’s most emblematic highland settlements, shaped as much by nature as by tradition.
A view of the central plaza and surrounding buildings in Gruyères, Switzerland. [KIM BONG-RYEOL]
The village’s name is said to originate from a legend dating back to the 4th century BCE, when a mythical king of the Vandals captured a crane — grue in French — and used it as a messenger. Centuries later, in 1138, the Count of Gruyères founded a settlement at an altitude of 810 meters, building a walled village anchored by a gently sloped ridge. At its heart, a broad rectangular plaza became the town’s focal point, flanked by three-story buildings that served as inns, homes and merchant shops for what was then a market village of about 100 residents.
At one end of the plaza stands a modest chapel and church. Just behind them sits Château de Gruyères, the former residence of the ruling count. Despite its status, the château does not impose itself on the landscape. Rather than a towering fortress, it is a compact, almost unassuming structure with low ramparts, simple turrets and a panoramic view of the Alps from nearly every room. Its terraced garden, arranged in the formal French style, offers the only touch of grandeur.
The spatial harmony of Gruyères is striking. The concave shape of the main plaza seems to draw in the mountainous surroundings, enhancing the sense of continuity between the village and the terrain. Walking along its open ends, one feels not confined but gently directed toward the natural world. The buildings themselves echo the peaks surrounding them, reinforcing a visual rhythm between human settlement and alpine landscape.
Yet Gruyères is more than a preserved artifact of feudal Europe. It remains a living village, closely tied to its artisanal roots. Its namesake cheese — one of the most renowned hard cheeses in the world — is a staple of Swiss fondue and is still sold in local shops. Nearby, the Cailler chocolate factory, one of Switzerland’s most iconic confectionery brands, operates a museum and production site.
In a striking blend of tradition and contemporary culture, a villa near the château now houses the museum and studio of H.R. Giger, the Oscar-winning designer of Alien. This coexistence of natural beauty, medieval heritage, and modern creativity makes Gruyères not merely a place to visit but a place that continues to evolve without losing its essence.
Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Daily staff.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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