Helvetia auf Reisen Statue

The sculpture Helvetia auf Reisen, “Helvetia Travels” has been sitting on the bridge pillar on the lower Rhine path for around 40 years and looks wearily at the Rhine. The creator of the sculpture is Bettina Eichin. Born in Bern, she has had a studio directly on the other side of the Rhine for a number of years, with a view of the Helvetia sculpture.

She rests on the pillar of the bridge over the lower Rheinweg in Basel, Switzerland, and stares far away beyond the international boundary. Unlike the Helvetia shown on coins and stamps, she is seated on her pedestal, looking exhausted and reflective, rather than standing proudly and alertly. Behind her, she has discarded her spear, shield, cloak, and travel bag. Helvetia breaks away from her regular routine and travels…

Helvetia, the symbolic embodiment of Switzerland, has come quite a distance. The fruit-and-cheese variation represents not only the physical space but also the money and productivity that come with it. Politically, she represents freedom, alertness, unity, and courage when represented with an array of weapons and a laurel wreath.

As early as the 17th century, when the Confederation’s means of representation were still underdeveloped compared to those of the individual federal estates, the “political Helvetia” was employed as a metaphor of Swiss statehood. In the following century, the 18th, it was elevated by being featured front and centre as a single figure.

This occurred in the context of republicanism, which provided significant visibility for women. After the year 1800, depictions of Helvetia were increasingly important, appearing on a wider variety of coins, stamps, and architectural works as a means of establishing national-political identification among the general populace.