Library am Guisanplatz

Founded by a General

The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG – the Federal Administration and Armed Forces information centre – is also open to the general public. It has analog and digital specialist literature from a range of academic disciplines, including history, security, migration, politics and law. Today's BiG was formerly the Federal Military Library, founded in 1848 at the instigation of General Henri Dufour. Its older holdings are therefore of a military nature and include, for example, the Korea collection. The BiG also houses 9,000 digitised portraits from the collection of press photographer Walter Rutishauser and the Heberlein autograph collection, which contains the signatures of personalities such as Charles the Bold, Ronald Reagan and Neil Armstrong. The BiG regularly organises thematic events and exhibitions.

Sketch of a soldier galloping on a horse

At a gallop: Horses in the Swiss Armed Forces

Exhibition including recent paintings by artist Henry Althaus

until Fr, 28.11.2025

For centuries, horses played a central role in armies, serving a means of transportation for riders, and more importantly for goods. Despite motorisation, around 300 horses are still in service with the Swiss Armed Forces today.

The Library Am Guisanplatz BiG is holding an exhibition in four parts on the varied history and function of horses in the army. Henry Althaus, artist and veterinarian, presents recent figurative paintings on the topics of the National Equestrian Centre and horses.

The exhibition was organised in cooperation with the National Equestrian Centre. The exhibition includes a lecture series on various topics and guided tours, which will take place at the BiG and the National Equestrian Centre.