"gnome as ""almost"" a noble title. Bankers currently based in London who are agitated by rising taxes, stricter regulation and public animosity towards investment banking are considering moving in large numbers to Zürich itself where banking is ""the state religion."" The phrase is reflected in the traditions of the Zürich Grasshoppers Rugby Club, whose mascot is a gnome and which occasionally plays a third/casual team called ""The Gnomes"". Gnomes of Zürich is also the name of a classic rock band from North East England, and a 1990s psychedelic rock band from Minneapolis. The Gnomes of Zürich are one of the"
"Heinzelmännchen The Heinzelmännchen () are a race of creatures appearing in a tale connected with the city of Cologne in Germany. The little house gnomes are said to have done all the work of the citizens of Cologne during the night, so that the inhabitants of Cologne could be very lazy during the day. According to the legend, this went on until a tailor's wife got so curious to see the gnomes that she scattered peas onto the floor of the workshop to make the gnomes slip and fall. The gnomes, being infuriated, disappeared and never returned. From that time"
"hours per week during that year. Grossaffoltern Grossaffoltern is a municipality in the Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is known for its stork colony. Grossaffoltern is first mentioned in 1216 as ""Affoltron"". The oldest evidence of humans in the Grossaffoltern area are neolithic objects at Vorimholz, an Early Bronze Age ax blade depot at Munimatte and Bronze Age items at Kosthofen. There are at least 38 Hallstatt era grave mounds scattered around the municipality. The area was also inhabited during the Roman era and the Early Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages it was"
"Nods, Switzerland Nods is a municipality in the Jura bernois administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland, located in the French-speaking Bernese Jura (""Jura Bernois""). Nods is first mentioned in 1255 as ""Nos"". The municipality was formerly known by its German name ""Nos"", however, that name is no longer used. The noble de Nods family first appears in the historical record in the 13th century and vanishes again in the 15th century. The village was located along the border between several competing powers. During the 13th century it was owned by the Counts of Neuchâtel, then by the"
"with numerous other large and small manufacturers coming in and out of the business, each having its own particular style of design. From around 1860 onwards, many statues were made in Gräfenroda, a town in Thuringia known for its ceramics. The reputation of German gnomes declined after World War I, but they became popular again in the 1930s following Disney's animated film ""Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"", when more working-class people were able to purchase them. Tom Major-Ball (father of former British prime minister John Major) was the most notable producer at that time with his company Major's Garden"
"Grossaffoltern Grossaffoltern is a municipality in the Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is known for its stork colony. Grossaffoltern is first mentioned in 1216 as ""Affoltron"". The oldest evidence of humans in the Grossaffoltern area are neolithic objects at Vorimholz, an Early Bronze Age ax blade depot at Munimatte and Bronze Age items at Kosthofen. There are at least 38 Hallstatt era grave mounds scattered around the municipality. The area was also inhabited during the Roman era and the Early Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages it was owned by the House of Zähringen"
"Gnosca Gnosca is a former municipality in the district of Bellinzona in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. On 2 April 2017 the former municipalities of Camorino, Claro, Giubiasco, Gorduno, Gudo, Moleno, Monte Carasso, Pianezzo, Preonzo, Sant'Antonio and Sementina merged into the municipality of Bellinzona. Gnosca is first mentioned in 1198 as ""Niosca"" in the records of Como and the cathedral of Milan. While it is likely that there were earlier settlements, nothing is known about them. An arbitration document of 1202 granted the S. Giovanni church and the church of SS Maurizio e Carpoforo in Gnosca Castle to Como."
"Romont. Romont Romont is a municipality and capital of the district of Glâne in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. Romont is first mentioned in 1177 as ""in Rotundo Monte"". In 1244 it was mentioned as ""Romont"". The municipality was formerly known by its German name ""Remund"", however, that name is no longer used. The oldest trace of human settlement in Romont is five Hallstatt era tumuli in the village of Bossens. The ruins of several other prehistoric settlements have been discovered including the foundation of a Roman era building at Bochanat. The alleged founding of Romont in 921 by"
"Romont Romont is a municipality and capital of the district of Glâne in the canton of Fribourg in Switzerland. Romont is first mentioned in 1177 as ""in Rotundo Monte"". In 1244 it was mentioned as ""Romont"". The municipality was formerly known by its German name ""Remund"", however, that name is no longer used. The oldest trace of human settlement in Romont is five Hallstatt era tumuli in the village of Bossens. The ruins of several other prehistoric settlements have been discovered including the foundation of a Roman era building at Bochanat. The alleged founding of Romont in 921 by the"
"Koblenz, Switzerland Koblenz (or Coblenz) is a town and municipality in the district of Zurzach in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. Koblenz is first mentioned in 10th or 11th Century as ""Confluentia"", for the confluence of the Aare and Rhine rivers. In 1265 it was mentioned as ""Cobilz"". In the Roman era a goods yard and watchtowers existed along the Rhine at this place. The remaining late Roman watchtower is listed as a heritage site of national significance. The town has been settled since the Middle Ages. The Koblenz boatmen had a monopoly over transport of goods from the"
"Gland, Switzerland Gland is a municipality in the district of Nyon in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. The city also is home to the IUCN and WWF headquarters. Gland is known to have been a prehistoric settlement. During the Roman period a farm called ""Villa Glanis"" was there. Until the 1960s, Gland was merely a small farming village (essentially vineyards and cattle). Gland is first mentioned around 994 -1049 as ""de Glans"". In 1923 Gland provided the venue for the European Division meeting of the Seventh-day Adventists, where the German Adventist leaders said they regarded whether to serve as"
"were first described during the Renaissance period by Swiss alchemist Paracelsus as ""diminutive figures two spans in height who did not like to mix with humans"". During this period, stone ""grotesques"", which were typically garishly painted, metre-tall figurines, were commonly placed in the gardens of the wealthy. Among the figures depicted were ' (Italian for hunchbacks). In particular, Jacques Callot produced 21 versions of ', which he engraved and printed in 1616. By the late 1700s, gnome-like statues made of wood or porcelain called ""house dwarfs"" became popular household decorations. The area surrounding town of Brienz in Switzerland was known"
"Zürich"" was adopted by the Americans as well. Soon after the catchphrase became famous, a few Swiss bankers started answering their phone as ""Hello, gnome speaking."" An audacious Swiss banker moved to London in order to set up his business and named it ""Gnome of Notting Hill"". In recent decades, Zürich bankers have lost the foothold they had in the global economy due to the rise of London, New York, Dubai and Hong Kong as leading financial capitals. The Zürich Money Museum displays the sculpture of a gnome. Jurg Conzett of the Zürich Money Museum says that nowadays, bankers see"
"closer to the village centre, but is served by fewer trains. Koblenz, Switzerland Koblenz (or Coblenz) is a town and municipality in the district of Zurzach in the canton of Aargau in Switzerland. Koblenz is first mentioned in 10th or 11th Century as ""Confluentia"", for the confluence of the Aare and Rhine rivers. In 1265 it was mentioned as ""Cobilz"". In the Roman era a goods yard and watchtowers existed along the Rhine at this place. The remaining late Roman watchtower is listed as a heritage site of national significance. The town has been settled since the Middle Ages. The"
"of many Swiss. There are Globus department stores in: Globus (company) Globus is a Swiss department store company, with 13 department stores in Switzerland. The group, which includes the Herren Globus chain of menswear stores and the Office World chain of office supplies stores, is owned by Switzerland's largest retailer, Migros. Globus was founded in 1907 in Zurich, and now has stores in all major Swiss cities. The chain sells mostly upscale goods, including clothing, cosmetics, jewelry and household supplies. The stores are noted for their extensive delicatessen section, called Globus Delicatessa, and their former mascot, Globi, the comic books"
"Morges Morges (Latin: Morgiis (plural, probably ablative, else dative)) is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Vaud, located in the district of Morges and is also the seat of the district. It is located on Lake Geneva. Morges is first mentioned in 1288 as ""Morgia"". It was known by its German name ""Morsee"" though that name is no longer used. There were several prehistoric settlements along what is now the Morges lakefront. The largest and best known, ""Grande-Cité"", was occupied in the late Bronze Age. One of the wooden objects at Grande-Cité has been dendrochronologically dated to 1031 BC."
"Le Locle Le Locle is a municipality in Le Locle District in the Canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. It is situated in the Jura Mountains, a few kilometers from the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. It is the third smallest city in Switzerland (in Switzerland a place needs more than 10,000 inhabitants to be considered a city). Le Locle is known as a center of Swiss watchmaking, even cited as the birthplace of the industry, with roots dating back to the 1600s. The municipality has been home to manufactures such as Mido, Zodiac, Tissot, Ulysse Nardin, Zenith, Montblanc, Certina as well"
"San Nazzaro, Switzerland San Nazzaro is a former municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. On 25 April 2010, the former municipalities of Caviano, Contone, Gerra Gambarogno, Indemini, Magadino, Piazzogna, San Nazzaro, Sant'Abbondio and Vira Gambarogno merged in the new municipality of Gambarogno. San Nazzaro is first mentioned in 1258 as ""sancto Nazario"". In the hamlet of Vairano, cremation urns have been found which may date back to the Bronze Age cremations. Additionally, Roman era pottery and coins have also been discovered. In the hamlet of Mossana, a number of Roman graves were discovered."
"Contone Contone is a former municipality in the district of Locarno in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. On 25 April 2010, the former municipalities of Caviano, Contone, Gerra Gambarogno, Indemini, Magadino, Piazzogna, San Nazzaro, Sant'Abbondio and Vira Gambarogno merged in the new municipality of Gambarogno. Contone is first mentioned in 1152 as ""Gondono"". However, three tombs have been discovered in Contone, which can be dated earlier than the Early Middle Ages. These tombs date to the reopening of the alpine passes. Some time before 1219, a Hospital of the Knights Hospitaller was built in the village. However, the exact"
"million garden gnomes in Germany. Garden gnomes are typically male, often bearded, usually wear red phrygian caps and often have pipes. They are shown pursuing leisurely pastimes such as fishing or napping. Gnomes have become controversial in serious gardening circles in the UK, and have been banned from the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, as the organisers claim that they detract from the garden designs. The ban was lifted during 2013 to mark the show's centenary. Gnome enthusiasts have accused the organisers of snobbery, as garden gnomes are popular in the gardens of working class and suburban households. Gnomes may be"
"the Roman era city are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire town of Martigny-Ville and the small town of Martigny-Bourg are part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The Romans left many archaeological remains in Martigny. The city is known for its amphitheater, which was restored in 1978. Cow fights are held in the amphitheater during early autumn for the ""Comptoir"". The city is notable for its Pierre Gianadda Foundation (Fondation Pierre Gianadda) museum. This is the most important cultural attraction in Martigny and, in addition to the Gallo-Roman Museum, houses a car museum. The"
"Bellinzona Bellinzona (; , , ) is the capital of the canton Ticino in Switzerland. The city is famous for its three castles (Castelgrande, Montebello, Sasso Corbaro) that have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2000. The town lies east of the Ticino river, at the foot of the Alps. It stretches along the river valley, surrounded by the southern ranges of the Lepontine Alps to the east and west, and by the Lugano Prealps to the south. The toponym is first attested in 590 in Latin as ""Belitio"" or ""Bilitio"" (in the accusative, ""Bilitionem""), by Gregory of Tours. The"
"Grafschaft, Switzerland Grafschaft is a former municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In 2000 the municipality was created with the merger of Biel (VS), Ritzingen and Selkingen. On 1 January 2017 the former municipalities of Grafschaft, Blitzingen, Münster-Geschinen, Niederwald and Reckingen-Gluringen merged into the new municipality of Goms. Grafschaft was created in 2000 through the merger of Biel (VS), Ritzingen and Selkingen. Biel was first mentioned in 1277 as ""Buele"". Starting in the 13th Century, Ritzingen gradually became a municipality. By the 16th Century the traditional practices and pastures of the farmers were"
"them. Throughout Flanders and the Netherlands they exist under a number of different local names like alvermannekes or auwelkes. There is a theory that their appearance, little red pointy hats running through the forest, can be attributed to hallucinations from eating mushrooms. Though not associated with narcotics by the general public, they appear in the iconography of smart shops. Another theory connects the gnomes with the sightings of red squirrels. In the ""Legend of the Wooden Shoes,"" an old Dutch folktale, a kabouter teaches a Dutch man how to make piles and how to make wooden shoes. The Dutch illustrator"
"Ennetmoos Ennetmoos is a municipality in the canton of Nidwalden in Switzerland. Ennetmoos is first mentioned in 1311 or 1315 as ""Ennetmooss"". The dragon in the municipality's coat of arms is inspired by the legend of Strut von Winkelried, as the home castle of the Winkelrieds of the 13th century has been placed in the municipality's territory. Ennetmoos has an area, , of . Of this area, 47.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 43.9% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 5.7% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (2.4%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers or mountains). It"
"Goms, Valais Goms is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2017 the former municipalities of Niederwald, Blitzingen, Grafschaft, Münster-Geschinen and Reckingen-Gluringen merged into the new municipality of Goms. Blitzingen is first mentioned in 1203 as ""Blicingen"". Grafschaft was created in 2000 through the merger of Biel (VS), Ritzingen and Selkingen. Biel was first mentioned in 1277 as ""Buele"". Starting in the 13th Century, Ritzingen gradually became a municipality. By the 16th Century the traditional practices and pastures of the farmers were finally codified into laws. Selkingen was first mentioned"
"""When you read these few words we will no longer be part of your selfish world, where we serve merely as pretty decorations."" The Front was in the news again in 2000 when they stole 20 gnomes overnight from a garden exhibition in Paris, and they were suspected in 2006, when 80 gnomes were stolen in the central Limousin region of France under a banner that said ""gnome mistreated, gnome liberated"". In 2008, a 53-year-old man, who law enforcement officials believed acted alone, was arrested on suspicion of stealing as many as 170 garden gnomes in the Brittany region of"
"another municipality, while 52 residents attended schools outside the municipality. Gnosca Gnosca is a former municipality in the district of Bellinzona in the canton of Ticino in Switzerland. On 2 April 2017 the former municipalities of Camorino, Claro, Giubiasco, Gorduno, Gudo, Moleno, Monte Carasso, Pianezzo, Preonzo, Sant'Antonio and Sementina merged into the municipality of Bellinzona. Gnosca is first mentioned in 1198 as ""Niosca"" in the records of Como and the cathedral of Milan. While it is likely that there were earlier settlements, nothing is known about them. An arbitration document of 1202 granted the S. Giovanni church and the church"
"St. Gallen St. Gallen or traditionally St Gall, in German sometimes Sankt Gallen (; ; ; ; ) is a Swiss town and the capital of the canton of St. Gallen. It evolved from the hermitage of Saint Gall, founded in the 7th century. Today, it is a large urban agglomeration (with around 160,000 inhabitants) and represents the center of eastern Switzerland. Its economy consists mainly of the service sector. Internationally, the town is known as the home of the University of St. Gallen. The main tourist attraction is the Abbey of Saint Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The"
"Gals Gals () is a municipality in the Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Gals is first mentioned in 1185 as ""Galles"". In French it was known as ""Chules"". The area around Gals has been inhabited for thousands of years. Some of the earliest archeological discoveries include a Bronze Age dug out canoe, Hallstatt grave mounds, La Tène and a Roman era wall. The recorded settlement was a large farm or estate that was built by the Counts of Neuchâtel. The village gradually grew up around the farm. During the 12th or 13th century the village"
"a large concentration of medieval castles (and ruins). Many such examples are found in the Domleschg area. Close by lies the church of Zillis, where 1130/40 a famous romanesque illustrated ceiling was added which is now treated as national heritage. Three World Heritage Sites are located in the canton: the Benedictine Convent of Saint John, the Swiss Tectonic Arena Sardona and the Rhaetian Railway in the Albula and Bernina Landscapes. The Grisons are known for a dried-beef delicacy called Bündnerfleisch and for a nut and honey pie known as Bündner Nusstorte. Another specialty, predominantly made in the western part of"
"Neu-Aspermont Castle Neu-Aspermont Castle is a ruined castle in the municipality of Jenins of the Canton of Graubünden in Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The Lords of Aspermont first appear in the historical record in 1120 as ministerialis or unfree knights in service to the Bishop of Chur, living at their castle Alt-Aspermont near Trimmis. Over the following centuries, they rose to become one of the main noble families in the region, with ties to the powerful Hohenstaufen family. In the early 13th century they built Neu-Aspermont north-east of the village of Jenins. The oldest"
"Grenchen Grenchen () is a municipality in the district of Lebern in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. It is located at the foot of the Jura mountains between Solothurn and Biel, approximately north of Bern. With over 16,000 inhabitants, it is one of the larger towns of the canton of Solothurn. The city is well known for its watch industry, that has been present for more than 150 years. Grenchen is the 2008 winner of the Wakker Prize for architectural heritage. Jura-Sternwarte Grenchen is located at Grenchen. Around 1000 AD, the local barons built a castle on the local"