Jonas Lauwiner, a 31-year-old pharmaceutical worker based in Burgdorf, has triggered a significant legal and administrative confrontation with Swiss authorities. Since his self-styled coronation at Bern’s Nydegg Church in 2019, Lauwiner has leveraged Article 658 of the Swiss Civil Code to claim approximately 150 parcels of land that lacked registered owners.
According to France 24, the provision allows citizens to claim ownerless land by covering only the associated administrative processing fees. Through this method, Lauwiner—who styles himself as "King Jonas I"—has consolidated a total of 117,000 square meters of territory. This land includes the site of what he describes as his rural "palace."
Lauwiner’s land acquisition strategy began on his 20th birthday after his father gifted him a small agricultural plot. Upon discovering that an adjacent parcel lacked a listed owner, he began scouring official land registries to identify and claim additional "ownerless" parcels across the country. He maintains that his actions are entirely lawful, asserting that his lack of opposition is due to the legal viability of his claims.
"The role of king is very special in Switzerland because it’s not really accepted. It's very controversial," Lauwiner told France 24. "But I don’t have too many haters. Nobody has stopped me, that's for sure, because it's not possible."
Beyond his land holdings, Lauwiner maintains a public persona characterized by elaborate displays of sovereignty. He frequently appears in gilded military attire and is accompanied by a 10-person security detail. Furthermore, he operates an "imperial bank" that issues its own half-sovereign coins, a venture documented on his official website. He also conducts military-style training exercises with his followers near his primary residence.
While the Swiss constitution contains no provision for a monarchy, local authorities are now actively seeking methods to halt the expansion of his empire. Officials have expressed growing concern regarding the implications of his land-grabbing activities. The tension between Lauwiner’s self-declared royal status and the Swiss government remains unresolved as authorities investigate potential avenues to challenge his property claims.
