Swiss national day celebrations kicked off in spectacular fashion in Basel, with an estimated 120,000 people turning out to watch the traditional fireworks display.
Lasting nearly half an hour, around 1,300 fireworks were set off from two barges floating on the Rhine River on Sunday night, the eve of national day on Monday, August 1.
And after weeks of wet and gloomy weather, spectators were rewarded with clear, if somewhat cool, conditions for the event which was complemented with music and food stalls to entertain crowds as they waited for night to fall.
In the capital Bern, the traditional open-door event at the parliament building proved as popular as ever on Monday, attracting some 4,000 people through the doors.
Retirees, tourists and families alike queued for about 15 minutes to visit of the historic building, with the third floor – usually closed to the public – also open for viewing.
While queuing to visit the halls of power, visitors were given gifts of Swiss chocolate and were treated to the delights of yodeling duo Edeldicht upon entering the grand hall.