A road trip with a (potential) healing effect

The fact that certain places have increased earth radiation can have two causes. First and foremost, natural phenomena such as faults, water veins and global grids are said to be responsible. But man-made structures such as churches and cult or burial sites are also said to have an impact on bioenergy. Since bioenergy cannot be detected using conventional measuring instruments, a so-called Bovis biometer is needed to detect increased earth radiation. Named after its inventor Alfred Bovis, the device measures the earth’s radiation in Bovis units on a scale ranging from 0 to 10’000. 6’500 on the Bovis scale is considered a neutral figure, while if the measurement is anything above 10’000 the site is believed to be a “power place” with a strong life force.

There are places that are said to have many times this level of earth radiation, however. The existence of such radiation is not scientifically proven – but it is still fascinating to go to the places that have this magical power since they tend to be set in beautiful locations. We hopped in the Mobility car and paid a visit to some of them.

The journey begins in Baselland, at the Ermitage in Arlesheim – home to nothing less than the biggest English landscape-style garden in Switzerland. Anyone expecting English lawns will be disappointed here, however: the motto is “Natura amicis suis” (“Nature to her friends”). The imposing facility was inaugurated in 1785 and soon became a well-known sight that attracted nature lovers from all over Europe. Only eight years after its opening, the tourist magnet was destroyed by French troops, but the initiators remained undeterred: the garden was newly laid out from 1810 to 1812, with some new scenarios added.

Visitors can explore the English Garden of Arlesheim on their own or else take a guided tour. Whichever option you chose, any visit is a striking experience due to the numerous enchanted grottos and winding paths that create a thoroughly fairytale atmosphere. The scenarios have names such as the Trauma Asylum, the Hermitage, the Hermit’s Chapel, Temple rustique and the Hermit’s Woodpile. Everything is extremely magical – and full of bioenergy: a figure of up to 75,000 is said to have been measured here on the Bovis scale.

You can then get a car at one of the four Mobility stations in Arlesheim to reach the next power place in Aargau. The direct route is via the motorway, but anyone preferring a more leisurely run will make their way through Baselland along country roads.

The next stop is the Emma Kunz Grotto in Würenlos. It is named after artist and healer Emma Kunz, who used the former Roman quarry to recharge her batteries. According to Kunz, the grotto has a “balancing and harmonising effect on body and mind” and is a place of “contemplation that has a powerful yet subtle impact”. The rock grotto is said to measure 3’000 to 22,000 on the Bovis scale, depending on exactly where you are.

Please note that the Emma Kunz Grotto can only be visited by reservation from Tuesday to Sunday (12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Admission costs CHF 14 (adults) or CHF 5 (children aged 6-16), while children aged up to 5 are admitted free of charge.

The third stop is Tüfels Chilen in the Tösstal valley: four springs that plunge 60 metres into the depths over a moss-covered rocky outcrop. Its name is derived from the tufa stone that used to be quarried here and used as building material – for church spires, among other things. The mines were shut down in 1873, and site has been gradually reclaimed by nature ever since. The fact that the appearance of Tüfels Chilen changes again and again is due to occasional rockfalls – the last one occurred in 2017.

The area around Tüfels Chilen is perfect for getting some exercise. One good example is this easy hike from Kollbrunn, which is popular with school groups, too. Those who want to enjoy a picnic or a barbecue in between will find plenty of opportunities to do so.

There is no Bovis measurement available for Tüfels Chilen, but after the two previous visits, you can assess for yourself whether or not this is a power place – or simply a place of mystic beauty.

The grand finale of the road trip is in Aesch near Maur. With an incredible biometer measurement of 750’000 on the Bovis scale, the Tägernhügel is not only said to be by far the most energy-rich place in Switzerland, it even occupies a leading position worldwide. According to author Blanche Merz, this is the “central cosmo-telluric acupuncture point on Swiss soil” – others even speak of the “chakra of the Earth”. The fact that this chakra is located here of all places may surprise some people: unlike the previous tour stops, the area seems “normal” at first glance. Simply a hill with a lot of meadow – of which Switzerland has thousands. 

By the way, the Forchdenkmal is very close by – an 18-metre-high bronze flame commemorating the victims of the First World War. But beware: those who sensed a distinctive energy at the previous power places might be advised to skip the Forchdenkmal. Just below it there is said to have been a Celtic sacrificial site whose negative energy continues to prevail to this day – the measurement here is said to be just 3’000 on the Bovis scale.

Time to draw a conclusion: if you fail to sense any special energy at any of the four places, you can say with a clear conscience that you have single-handedly disproved the power-place theory.  And everyone else will have discovered one or more places where they can recharge their batteries.

After dropping off the vehicle at the Mobility station at Forch railway station, it’s less than 20 minutes on the Forchbahn railway back to Zurich. And there’s one last stop you could still treat yourself to: the Grossmünster in Zurich, which has a reading of 18’000 on the Bovis scale.

Journey time: approx. 2h 30min, Please also plan the journey there and back. 

Distance: 157 km

Google Maps

Of course, the locations are also worth an indivitual trip. Here is the list of the nearest Mobility locations, for those who prefer to travel by public transport: 

Arlesheim Ermitage: Dornach Bahnhof, Arlesheim Domplatz, Arlesheim Post

Emma Kunz Grotte: Killwangen Bahnhof – Killwangen-Spreitenbach

Tüfels Chilen: Turbenthal Bahnhof

Aesch bei Maur: Zumikon Unterdorf, Zollikerberg in der Tiefe