Berlin – A little-known chapter in the history of Neuchâtel, a canton in western Switzerland, is being brought to light through an ongoing archival project in Berlin. For over a century and a half, from 1707 to 1848, Neuchâtel was a principality ruled by the King of Prussia, a period that fostered significant political, economic and cultural exchange between the Swiss canton and the Prussian kingdom. Now, an archivist is meticulously cataloging the records of this era, aiming to make them accessible to researchers and the public. The project, titled “À la recherche d’une mémoire oubliée” – “In Search of a Forgotten Memory” – underscores a renewed interest in understanding this unique period of Neuchâtel’s past.
The initiative, presented this Tuesday at the Swiss Embassy in Berlin, is spearheaded by the Association Neuchâtel-Berlin, which seeks to strengthen ties between the two regions. The association notes that while Berlin may have faded from the collective memory of Neuchâtel after the 1848 revolution and the establishment of the Republic, Berlin itself has retained traces of the connection, visible in street names like Neuchateller Straße and Neuenburger Straße. The project isn’t simply about uncovering historical facts, but about fostering renewed scientific and cultural links between Neuchâtel and Germany.
Unearthing a Century and a Half of Prussian Influence
The story of Prussian Neuchâtel began in 1707, when the canton came under the sovereignty of the Prussian crown. This arrangement, while geographically distant, spurred considerable interaction between the two entities. The Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz – the Secret State Archive of Prussian Cultural Heritage – in Berlin holds a vast collection of documents detailing this period. These archives, however, have remained largely uncataloged, hindering research and public access. The Association Neuchâtel-Berlin recognized the need to address this gap in historical understanding.
Since March 1, 2025, Swiss archivist Myriam Erwin has been working on-site in Berlin to systematically identify, describe, and structure these documents. Her work is crucial to unlocking the wealth of information contained within the Prussian archives, making it available to scholars and the Swiss public. The project aims to provide researchers with the tools they need to explore this often-overlooked period of Neuchâtel’s history. A previous report on the project highlighted Erwin’s work, noting the importance of making these sources more accessible. RTN reported on the initial stages of the archival work last June.
Rediscovered Documents and Lost Heritage
The initial findings of the project, presented this Tuesday, have already yielded some intriguing discoveries. According to Damien Cottier, president of the Association Neuchâtel-Berlin and a national councillor, the team has uncovered copies of medieval documents bearing the seals of Neuchâtel families. These documents were likely lost during the Great Fire of Neuchâtel in 1714, but were preserved through copies made for the Prussian king. “We’ve even discovered copies of documents from the Middle Ages with seals from Neuchâtel families that we had lost in Neuchâtel – probably in the great fire of 1714 – and which were copied for the King of Prussia,” Cottier explained.
The historical connection extends beyond official documents. The period of Prussian rule shaped Neuchâtel’s political landscape and fostered economic and cultural ties. As noted in a Wikipedia entry on the History of the Canton of Neuchâtel, the region’s history is intertwined with that of Europe, having belonged to the Burgundians and later the Prussians before joining the Swiss Confederation in 1815 and achieving full independence after the 1848 revolution.
Strengthening Franco-German Relations Through History
The Association Neuchâtel-Berlin, founded to promote scientific and cultural exchange between Berlin and Neuchâtel, sees this archival project as a key step in revitalizing these connections. The association’s website details the project’s goals, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with institutions in both regions. Cottier emphasized that the project’s primary goal wasn’t to make groundbreaking discoveries, but to systematically organize and catalog existing archival material. “The goal wasn’t to make great discoveries,” he said. “We knew about this archive, but it wasn’t inventoried precisely.”
The project’s success hinges on continued collaboration between the Association Neuchâtel-Berlin, the Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz, and the Archives de l’État de Neuchâtel (AEN). This partnership aims to not only preserve and make accessible a valuable historical record, but also to stimulate further research and cultural exchange between Switzerland and Germany. The initiative serves as a reminder of the complex and often-overlooked connections that shape regional identities and international relations.
The next step for the project involves continuing the detailed inventory of the Prussian archives, with the aim of making the findings available to a wider audience. The Association Neuchâtel-Berlin plans to host further events and presentations to share the project’s progress and encourage ongoing collaboration.
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