Skating in Switzerland
Greifensee
Greifensee
Greifensee
Greifensee is an old Zurich rural town, its castle for centuries the seat of the bailiff. Today its historic centre is a popular excursion destination thanks to its attractive buildings and location on the Greifensee lake, a protected nature reserve.
Greifensee’s history began with pile dwellings on the lake over 5000 years ago. The Old Zurich War of 1444 resulted in the siege and partial destruction of the town and its castle. The castle, visible from afar, was rebuilt in 1520 and served as the residence of the bailiff of the imperial city of Zurich until the French Revolution. Today the castle is a venue for cultural meetings and further education.
The oldest building still standing in the charming little town is the Gothic church built around 1330. It has a triangular layout and was part of town fortifications. Today it is a popular wedding church.
The Greifensee lake, with a surface of almost 9 km2 is a pearl in the densely developed Glatttal Valley. The lake was created by the last Ice Age. When the Linth-Rhine Glacier receded some 16,000 to 20,000 years ago, it left a basin which filled with water. The shores of the lake, which in shape resembles a large whale, are a protected nature reserve and thus little developed. As a result there are only a few spots with direct access to the lake, which is encircled by fens and reed beds. However, a stroll along the shore reveals an astonishing and varied world of flora and fauna. Over 400 plants and 120 types of migratory birds have been identified.
Scheduled boats (also with bike transport) operate an all-year-round service on the lake between Maur and Uster. Nostalgic trips aboard the SS Greif, Switzerland’s oldest lake steamer dating from 1895, are available from spring to autumn.
The Pfannenstiel area between the Greifensee and Zürichsee lakes is popular for hiking and biking, with little trace of city hustle and bustle. Green countryside, isolated farmhouses and tiny villages are the dominant features of the landscape.
The oldest building still standing in the charming little town is the Gothic church built around 1330. It has a triangular layout and was part of town fortifications. Today it is a popular wedding church.
The Greifensee lake, with a surface of almost 9 km2 is a pearl in the densely developed Glatttal Valley. The lake was created by the last Ice Age. When the Linth-Rhine Glacier receded some 16,000 to 20,000 years ago, it left a basin which filled with water. The shores of the lake, which in shape resembles a large whale, are a protected nature reserve and thus little developed. As a result there are only a few spots with direct access to the lake, which is encircled by fens and reed beds. However, a stroll along the shore reveals an astonishing and varied world of flora and fauna. Over 400 plants and 120 types of migratory birds have been identified.
Scheduled boats (also with bike transport) operate an all-year-round service on the lake between Maur and Uster. Nostalgic trips aboard the SS Greif, Switzerland’s oldest lake steamer dating from 1895, are available from spring to autumn.
The Pfannenstiel area between the Greifensee and Zürichsee lakes is popular for hiking and biking, with little trace of city hustle and bustle. Green countryside, isolated farmhouses and tiny villages are the dominant features of the landscape.
Highlights
- Greifensee Castle – landmark above the town and once the residence of the bailiff of the imperial city of Zurich.
- Greifensee – the protected and thus hardly developed shores are home to a multitude of species of flora and fauna, including around 120 types of migratory birds.
- Greifensee cruises – scheduled trips and (culinary) special trips – including with Switzerland’s oldest lake steamer – delight the public.
- Pfannenstiel – hill range between the Greifensee and Zürichsee lakes is a popular hiking and biking area in the agglomeration of Zürich.
Greifensee is an old Zurich rural town, its castle for centuries the seat of the bailiff. Today its historic centre is a popular excursion destination thanks to its attractive buildings and location on the Greifensee lake, a protected nature reserve.
Greifensee’s history began with pile dwellings on the lake over 5000 years ago. The Old Zurich War of 1444 resulted in the siege and partial destruction of the town and its castle. The castle, visible from afar, was rebuilt in 1520 and served as the residence of the bailiff of the imperial city of Zurich until the French Revolution. Today the castle is a venue for cultural meetings and further education.
The oldest building still standing in the charming little town is the Gothic church built around 1330. It has a triangular layout and was part of town fortifications. Today it is a popular wedding church.
The Greifensee lake, with a surface of almost 9 km2 is a pearl in the densely developed Glatttal Valley. The lake was created by the last Ice Age. When the Linth-Rhine Glacier receded some 16,000 to 20,000 years ago, it left a basin which filled with water. The shores of the lake, which in shape resembles a large whale, are a protected nature reserve and thus little developed. As a result there are only a few spots with direct access to the lake, which is encircled by fens and reed beds. However, a stroll along the shore reveals an astonishing and varied world of flora and fauna. Over 400 plants and 120 types of migratory birds have been identified.
Scheduled boats (also with bike transport) operate an all-year-round service on the lake between Maur and Uster. Nostalgic trips aboard the SS Greif, Switzerland’s oldest lake steamer dating from 1895, are available from spring to autumn.
The Pfannenstiel area between the Greifensee and Zürichsee lakes is popular for hiking and biking, with little trace of city hustle and bustle. Green countryside, isolated farmhouses and tiny villages are the dominant features of the landscape.
The oldest building still standing in the charming little town is the Gothic church built around 1330. It has a triangular layout and was part of town fortifications. Today it is a popular wedding church.
The Greifensee lake, with a surface of almost 9 km2 is a pearl in the densely developed Glatttal Valley. The lake was created by the last Ice Age. When the Linth-Rhine Glacier receded some 16,000 to 20,000 years ago, it left a basin which filled with water. The shores of the lake, which in shape resembles a large whale, are a protected nature reserve and thus little developed. As a result there are only a few spots with direct access to the lake, which is encircled by fens and reed beds. However, a stroll along the shore reveals an astonishing and varied world of flora and fauna. Over 400 plants and 120 types of migratory birds have been identified.
Scheduled boats (also with bike transport) operate an all-year-round service on the lake between Maur and Uster. Nostalgic trips aboard the SS Greif, Switzerland’s oldest lake steamer dating from 1895, are available from spring to autumn.
The Pfannenstiel area between the Greifensee and Zürichsee lakes is popular for hiking and biking, with little trace of city hustle and bustle. Green countryside, isolated farmhouses and tiny villages are the dominant features of the landscape.
Highlights
- Greifensee Castle – landmark above the town and once the residence of the bailiff of the imperial city of Zurich.
- Greifensee – the protected and thus hardly developed shores are home to a multitude of species of flora and fauna, including around 120 types of migratory birds.
- Greifensee cruises – scheduled trips and (culinary) special trips – including with Switzerland’s oldest lake steamer – delight the public.
- Pfannenstiel – hill range between the Greifensee and Zürichsee lakes is a popular hiking and biking area in the agglomeration of Zürich.
Arrival and return Greifensee
Adresse
Rapperswil Zürichsee Tourismus
Fischmarktplatz 1
8640 Rapperswil
Tel. +41 (0)55 225 77 00
zuerichsee@zuerich.com
www.zuerich.com
Fischmarktplatz 1
8640 Rapperswil
Tel. +41 (0)55 225 77 00
zuerichsee@zuerich.com
www.zuerich.com