Welcome to 1799
You have arrived in Betlyland.
This is a living time machine — an immersive village inspired by Gaetano Donizetti's beloved opera "Betly." Here, master artisans craft treasures by hand, actors in period costume bring history to life around every corner, and the music of the 18th century fills the mountain air.
For the next few hours, the modern world fades away. You become a citizen of 1799.
What Awaits You
The moment you step through the ancient wooden gates of Betlyland, your smartphone transforms into something extraordinary — a magical compass that bridges two centuries, guiding you through the wonders of 1799 while capturing every precious moment for eternity. Download the Betlyland App before your visit, and discover how 21st-century technology can make your 18th-century adventure even more immersive, more personal, and more unforgettable. Your smartphone becomes a magical compass bridging two centuries — guiding you through 1799 while capturing every precious moment.
Citizen Passport
A living document that grows with your journey. Collect virtual wax seals as you explore, and unlock the legendary Secret Menu at Betly's Tavern when you complete your adventure.
Interactive Map
An illustrated treasure map in 18th-century engraving style. Find workshops, fresh bread from wood-fired ovens, and perfect photo spots.
Audio Guides
Professional actors reveal hidden stories of every cobblestone and weathered beam. Two to ten minutes of history, legend, and imagination.
Swiss Sports Experience
Schwingen
Swiss Wrestling — Discover Switzerland's beloved national sport! Watch powerful athletes compete in traditional Alpine wrestling on a bed of fresh sawdust. Learn the ancient techniques passed down by mountain herdsmen for centuries, then step into the arena and try it yourself. Strength, balance, tradition — this is the heart of Swiss sporting heritage.
Flag Throwing
Fahnenschwingen — Watch the Swiss flag fly! Learn the spectacular art of traditional flag throwing, where the iconic red and white banner soars, spins, and dances through the air. Our master flag swingers will teach you the graceful techniques of this centuries-old tradition. Flags of all sizes available — perfect for the whole family!
Crossbow Shooting
Armbrustschiessen — Be Wilhelm Tell for a day! Take aim with a traditional Swiss crossbow and try to hit the famous apple. Our expert instructors will teach you the techniques of this legendary weapon. Hit the target and earn your official "Tell Shooter" certificate!
THE QUARTER OF HERITAGE
Alpine Woodcarver
Witness raw timber transform into art. Our master carver shapes local pine and linden wood into traditional figures, decorative pieces, and the iconic Swiss cuckoo clock elements using hand tools and techniques unchanged for centuries.
Master Watchmaker
Witness the meticulous art of Swiss horology. Our master craftsman assembles intricate timepieces by hand, continuing a tradition of precision that has defined Swiss excellence for centuries. Each tiny gear and spring placed with steady hands and generations of expertise.
Swiss Costume Photo Booth
Become Betly, Max & Daniele! — Step into Swiss tradition and become part of the Alpine story! Dress up as our beloved characters: Betly in her beautiful embroidered dirndl with lace blouse and flower crown, Max in his handsome Senn costume with leather shorts and traditional hat, or Daniele in his classic Alpine herder outfit with wool vest and felt cap. Our authentic costumes fit all ages. Professional photographers capture your Swiss mountain moment against stunning Alpine backdrops. Take home an unforgettable memory of your heritage experience!
Tracht Costume Artisan
Preserving Switzerland's textile heritage stitch by stitch. Our costume maker demonstrates the intricate embroidery, weaving, and assembly of authentic regional Tracht — the traditional dress that tells the story of Swiss cantonal identity and Alpine culture.
Alphorn Master Craftsman
Witness the creation of Switzerland's most iconic instrument. Our master craftsman shapes the mighty Alphorn from a single curved spruce tree, carefully selected from steep Alpine slopes where natural growth creates the perfect bend. Using traditional hand tools — axes, drawknives, and gouges — he hollows and shapes the wood over months of patient work, creating instruments that have echoed across Swiss valleys for over 500 years. Each Alphorn carries the voice of the mountains.
Cowbell Maker
Hear the sound of the Swiss Alps! Our master bell maker continues an ancient tradition, hand-forging the iconic Trycheln and Schellen that echo across mountain pastures. Watch as raw metal transforms into resonant bells — each one hammered, tuned, and fitted with a hand-carved wooden collar and leather strap. These are the voices of Alpine summers, calling cows home for centuries.
Scherenschnitt Master
Discover the treasured Swiss folk art of paper cutting, a tradition dating back to the 17th century. With remarkable patience and precision, our artist transforms simple black paper into breathtaking keepsakes. Sit for just a few minutes and watch as skilled scissors capture your profile freehand — no sketches, no tracing, just steady hands and centuries of tradition. Take home your unique shadow portrait, a charming Alpine memory to treasure forever.
Alpine Cheesemakers
Experience the ancient art of Swiss cheese making. Our artisan couple transforms fresh mountain milk into creamy wheels using copper cauldrons, wooden molds, and time-honored recipes from the high Alps. Taste tradition in every bite.
Master Chocolatier
Discover the secrets of Swiss chocolate perfection. Our chocolatier tempers, molds, and decorates exquisite confections by hand, transforming the finest cocoa into edible works of art. The sweet heart of Swiss tradition.
Betly
A Charming Comic Opera for the Whole Family
Betly is a one-act comic opera (opera giocosa) composed by Gaetano Donizetti in 1836. Set in the Swiss Alps, this charming work tells the story of the independent and spirited Betly, who initially resists marriage but eventually falls for the devoted soldier Daniel.
Our adaptation brings this beloved opera to life in its natural setting - the very Swiss alpine landscape that inspired its creation - offering audiences a truly immersive cultural experience.
