RAPPERSWIL
ON LAKE ZURICH
Walk on Water and Smell the Roses
In
the middle-ages, religious pilgrims would walk across the European landscape,
over
mountains and valleys to follow the path of martyrs
and saints. Jacob’s Path was one such route across Switzerland
to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. A wooden bridge stretched across
the eastern shallow end of Lake Zurich in medieval times
to allow the passage and save steps around the waters. After the bridge
decayed
and fell, the only remnant was the tiny Heilghüsel chapel from
1551 perched in the lake cloyed by reeds, passed by the trains and
cars crossing the modern structure from Rapperswil to Pfäffikon.
In 2001, the wooden foot bridge was rebuilt for strolling a few feet
above the clear lake surface accompanied by paddling water fowl in
the nature preserve. Now visitors can walk afoot (not to mention bike
or baby stroller) across the waters on the slate wooden planks
For modern
day tourist pilgrims, looking for something to do with a day to spend
from Zurich,
Rapperswil-Jona are two closely connected
towns on the Zurichsee lake, about a thirty-five minute train ride
from Zurich’s central train station. The old town of Rapperswil
was founded about 1200, with quaint narrow medieval alleyways, a harbor
of boats and dominated by its castle high above. Rapperswil also has
the nickname, the “City of Roses” for
16,000 rose bushes which
bloom in late May until October, filling the air with sweet aroma.
The roses are located on the path from the lakeside town to the upper
hillside in the gardens of the Capucin Wurmsbach Monastery, tended
since 1606 and still led by monks and open to taking in guests seeking
the experience of cloister life. Nearby the Parish Church of St. Johann
has been on the castle mount since 1253 and features Renaissance altars,
with the Liebfrauen Chapel next to it.
The highest point above the
town, the Lindenhof, presents a spectacular
vantage point over the village and Lake Zurich to the Glarner Alps.
The thick old walls attract
sun seekers and romantic couples to sit on a perilous perch. Look for
the fallow deer in the green enclosure below the walls. The impressive
13th Century castle of Rapperswil houses a small museum of Polish culture!
(a long story) and a contemporary restaurant, with classical music
concerts held in the castle’s Knights Hall (Rittersaal) (see Rapperswil Castle).
Outdoor
dining tables along the waterfront and in the old town fill when
the weather is
clear and a variety of pubs, bars and restaurants
enliven the nights. Boats can be rented in the Rapperswil harbor from
paddleboats to fast motorcraft, wake board and sailing. Excursion lake
cruises depart daily from the harbor and the Zurich Lake ferries dock
between April and October. A small children’s Knies Zoo houses
350 animals, offering camel rides, a sea lion demonstration and a parrot
show.
Wooden Bridge
The wooden bridge is reached from the train station by crossing
under the main highway and railbridge, on the opposite side from the
lakefront riviera (see Pre-Alpine Express). The tourist office is below
the curious private Circus Museum of mostly photos of a family circus
based
in
Rapperswil.
There are walks along the lake path, actually part of the European
Trail (E1) from Norway to Italy, and wine tasting tours lead from the
castle to the area's wine vineyards. The Alpamare, Europe’s largest
covered water park is across the lake in Pfaffikon. © Bargain
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SEE
ALSO:
GROSSMÜNSTER CATHEDRAL – ZURICH
SWISS
LANDESMUSEUM - ZURICH
ZURICH
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