“Brugg” sounds like the German word for “bridge” and its name came from having a bridge that crossed the River Aare connecting a major trade route between Italy and Germany. The municipality has a little bit of everything, it was founded in Roman times, has a famous monastery founded in 1308, and a modernist downtown area.
New downtown Brugg 
New downtown Brugg 
New downtown Brugg 
New downtown Brugg
Along with Avenches and Kaiseraugst, Brugg is one of the three major cities in Helvetia that formed the vital trade routes between the Italian peninsula and Alemannia. In ancient times the city was called Vindonissa and there are still relics remaining from that time. Most notable ancient architecture is the largest Roman ampitheatre in Switzerland that is over 100 meters long and accommodates 11,000 spectators.
Vindonissa Museum 
Roman amphitheatre 
Roman amphitheatre
The Königsfelden Monastery is just a short walk away from the amphitheatre and was the location of the local Roman legion camp. Today, there is the small open-air exhibition area with a recreated Roman barracks and other military structures. Parents can eat at the nearby canteen while their children play inside the learning space. The monastery is comparatively newer being built in the 14th century by the Hapsburgs.
St. Nicholas Church 
Königsfelden Monastery 
Roman legion 
Roman legion
You would be forgiven if you thought that Brugg was stuck In some kind of 1970’s sitcom as the downtown area is made of ugly concrete, steel, and glass buildings. If you walk beyond the railway station and that concrete mess there is also an old town area where the Vindonissa Museum can be found exhibiting objects from Roman times excavated from the area.
