Visitors to Bern are often surprised by the number and variety of cat ladders snaking their way up houses. “That can’t be safe!” is a common reaction. But whom do the ladders benefit more: the cats or their owners/servants? And why are there so many in Switzerland? “Switzerland may be the best place in the world to be a housecat,” wrote the National Geographic in 2019. “They have freedom, autonomy – and their own cat-specific architecture. Be it on the side of a townhouse or apartment complex, custom-built ladders and ramps are designed so cats can come and go as they please.” The National Graphic was profiling a recently published book, Arcatecture – Swiss Cat Ladders, by Brigitte Schuster, a German photographer, writer and graphic designer, who admits she was “amazed” when she moved to Bern. “This portrait of Bernese cat ladder culture is not just about showcasing cat owners’ care and ingenuity. It also offers insight into the social fabric of Bernese neighbourhoods,” she wrote ...
