The day after our excursion to Bern, we took another day trip... a short hop by train to Othmarsingen, the village where my Swiss great-grandmother was born. It's just a 15 minute ride from Aarau, where we were staying with my cousin Walter. Two more of my cousins still live in Othmarsingen, Ruth and her brother Andre.
We walked from the train station to Ruth's home. She fixed us a lovely lunch, and Andre joined us. He lives next door to Ruth in the house that belonged to their grandparents.
Their houses are at a slight elevation, and from the back yard you can look out across the village and the surrounding countryside.
At the left of the photo, you can see Lenzburg Castle, one of the best preserved castles in the country, perched on a hill.
Unfortunately, they may soon lose their view. Directly below them an apartment building is under construction.
The little village is experiencing population growth, and on this trip I noticed a number of apartment buildings that were not there on my last visit. It's just a half hour train ride from here to Zurich, and people are moving to Othmarsingen where the cost of housing is less expensive.
After lunch Ruth took us to Othmarsingen's church.
It was here that my great-grandmother and generations of family before her were baptized.
One of the stained-glass windows indicates that the church was built in 1675. Also notice the bear, which was the symbol of the city of Bern. In that era, the region was under the control of officials from Bern.
The church has been well-maintained over the centuries. It is a beautiful little gem that is listed as a Swiss Heritage Site.
Every time that I visit this church, I get goose bumps thinking of all my ancestors that passed through its door.
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