Swiss Review 6/2020

Swiss Review / November 2020 / No.6 19 Contrast this to a fewyears back, when reports appeared in the domestic and foreign press about Daum’s two pre- decessors (one lived in the gorge from 2009 to 2014, the other from 2014 to 2016). The council helped to fuel the media by going public in its search for a new hermit. Visitor magnet When asked to explain the difference between then and now, mayor Sergio Wyniger said that a little less public clamour was necessary to ensure that the hermitage retained its appeal as a place of tranquillity and prayer. “But we’re not telling anyone they can’t visit.” The council will continue to make this piece of local heritage acces- sible to the public. But it wants to en- force ground rules, because the her- mitage has become a visitor magnet. Even more people came this year be- cause of the pandemic. “Many had no idea that it was a spiritual place.” The negative consequences were- noise, rubbish, wanton Instagram- ming. Drones were spotted shooting footage of the hermitage from high above. These were immediately banned. Wyniger says that all the commotion not only disturbed those who had come to pray, but also dis- tracted people with personal prob- lems who wanted to see the hermit. It all became too much for Daum’s pre- decessor – a nun. The current hermit handles the situation much better, ac- cording to his employer. Daum’s pre- vious life as a police officer probably helps. But the present occupant also knows when enough is enough. One Christmas Eve, he sent away a young couple who had set up a mulled wine stand outside his house. The incident, whichwas reported in a local newspa- per, caused some disgruntlement. “Finding tranquillity is not always easy” “You can’t please everyone,” says Wyniger. Daum is happy to help peo- The Verena Gorge Hermitage, nestled under steep lime- stone cliffs near the city of Solothurn, consists of two small chapels and the her- mit’s living quarters including garden. Archive photo: Keystone (2009)