Sustainably On the move
A road trip with a (potential) healing effect
25.08.2022
From the English Garden in Arlesheim to Tüfels Chilen in Tösstal: Switzerland has many places of power that are said to have increased earth radiation and a healing effect. If you don’t have the psychic experience during a visit to the site – half as wild: The excursion is also worthwhile from an earthly point of view.
The fact that certain places have increased earth radiation can have two causes. First and foremost, natural phenomena such as faults, water veins and global grids are said to be responsible. But man-made structures such as churches and cult or burial sites are also said to have an impact on bioenergy. Since bioenergy cannot be detected using conventional measuring instruments, a so-called Bovis biometer is needed to detect increased earth radiation. Named after its inventor Alfred Bovis, the device measures the earth’s radiation in Bovis units on a scale ranging from 0 to 10’000. 6’500 on the Bovis scale is considered a neutral figure, while if the measurement is anything above 10’000 the site is believed to be a “power place” with a strong life force.
There are places that are said to have many times this level of earth radiation, however. The existence of such radiation is not scientifically proven – but it is still fascinating to go to the places that have this magical power since they tend to be set in beautiful locations. We hopped in the Mobility car and paid a visit to some of them.
The English Garden of Arlesheim
After making your own arrangements, this road trip begins in Basel-Landschaft, where Hermitage of Arlesheim, home to nothing less than the largest English Garden in Switzerland. Anyone expecting English lawns will be disappointed here, however: the motto is “Natura amicis suis” (“Nature to her friends”). The imposing facility was inaugurated in 1785 and soon became a well-known sight that attracted nature lovers from all over Europe. Just eight years after its opening, the tourist magnet was destroyed by French troops, but they were not deterred by this: The garden was rebuilt between 1810 and 1812, some of which were supplemented with new scenarios.
Visitors can explore the English Garden of Arlesheim on their own or else take a guided tour. Whichever option you chose, any visit is a striking experience due to the numerous enchanted grottos and winding paths that create a thoroughly fairytale atmosphere. The scenarios have names such as the Trauma Asylum, the Hermitage, the Hermit’s Chapel, Temple rustique and the Hermit’s Woodpile. Everything is extremely magical – and full of bioenergy: Up to 75,000 Bovis are said to have been measured here.
You can then get a car at one of the four Mobility stations in Arlesheim to reach the next power place in Aargau. The direct route is via the motorway, but anyone preferring a more leisurely run will make their way through Baselland along country roads.
Emma Kunz Grotto
The next stop is the Emma Kunz Grotto in Würenlos. It is named after artist and healer Emma Kunz, who used the former Roman quarry to recharge her batteries. According to Kunz, the grotto has a “balancing and harmonising effect on body and mind” and is a place of “contemplation that has a powerful yet subtle impact”. The rock grotto is said to measure 3’000 to 22,000 on the Bovis scale, depending on exactly where you are.
It should be noted that the Emma Kunz Grotto can only be Reservations and from Tuesday to Sunday (12 p.m. to 5 p.m.). Admission costs CHF 14 (adults) or CHF 5 (children between the ages of 6—16), children up to the age of 5 can enter free of charge.
Tüfels Chilen
The third stop is Tüfels Chilen in the Tösstal: four springs that plunge 60 metres over a moss-covered rocky outcrop. Its name is derived from the tufa stone that used to be quarried here and used as building material – for church spires, among other things. The mines were shut down in 1873, and site has been gradually reclaimed by nature ever since. The fact that the appearance of Tüfels Chilen changes again and again is due to occasional rockfalls – the last one occurred in 2017.
The area around Tüfels Chilen is perfect for getting some exercise. For example, with this light Going for a hike somewhere from Kollbrunn, which is also popular with school classes. Those who want to enjoy a picnic or a barbecue in between will find plenty of opportunities to do so.
There is no Bovis measurement available for Tüfels Chilen, but after the two previous visits, you can assess for yourself whether or not this is a power place – or simply a place of mystic beauty.
Aesch near Maur
The grand finale of the road trip is in Aesch near Maur. With an incredible 750,000 Bovis, the Tägernhügel not only be by far the most energy-intensive place in Switzerland, it also occupies a leading position in the world. According to author Blanche Merz, this is the “central cosmo-telluric acupuncture point on Swiss soil” – others even speak of the “chakra of the Earth”. The fact that this chakra is located here of all places may surprise some people: unlike the previous tour stops, the area seems “normal” at first glance. A hill with lots of meadows, as there are thousands of times in Switzerland.
Incidentally, there is the Forch Monument. an 18-metre-high bronze flame commemorating the victims of the First World War. But beware: Anyone who has felt a special energy in the places of power visited so far should miss out on the Forchdenkmal (Forchdenkmal). Just below it there is said to have been a Celtic sacrificial site whose negative energy continues to prevail to this day – the measurement here is said to be just 3’000 on the Bovis scale.
Time to draw a conclusion: Anyone who has not felt any special energies at any of the four stations can say with a clear conscience that they have refuted the power place theory for themselves. And everyone else will have discovered one or more places where they can recharge their batteries.
If you still like, treat yourself to one last stop: Zurich’s Grossmünster with 18,000 Bovis.
Links to the road trip here: Google Maps
Travel time: approx. 2h 30min excluding outward and return journey
Distance: 157 km
It goes without saying that all places of power are also worth a trip on their own. Here is the list of the nearest Mobility stations for those who prefer to travel by public transport:
Arlesheim Ermitage: Dornach Railway Station, Arlesheim Domplatz, Arlesheim Post Office
Emma Kunz Grotte: Killwangen Railway Station – Killwangen-Spreitenbach
Tüfels Chile: Turbenthal Railway Station
Aesch bei Maur: Zumikon Unterdorf, Zollikerberg in the depths