The Bundeshaus was designed to represent the "idea of Switzerland," so it is not surprising that it is full of artwork depicting the glories of Switzerland's past. Indeed, a huge 16.2 % of the construction budget was allocated for the decoration. And of this work, none is more impressive than the great statue of the three confederates, regarded as the founders of the Swiss state who swore the oath of confederation on the Rütli meadow in 1291. The statue is impossible to miss: it stands in a huge niche at the top of the first flight of stairs leading out of the vestibule.
But at the opening ceremony in 1902 it wasn't there. The niche was there, the idea was there, a design for the statue was there, but the confederates themselves had not been carved. Instead, a boys' choir stood in for them, and gave a lusty rendering of patriotic songs. (The Swiss still hadn't got round to choosing an anthem.)