Switzerland’s largest island - Ufenau
Overview
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Intro
The lenticular Ufenau is an idyllic and totally unspoilt island situated towards the eastern end of Lake Zurich. It was already a place of worship in Roman times. But since 1970 day trippers have been flocking here to enjoy its natural charm, historic buildings and culinary delights.
Switzerland’s largest island is located one kilometre away from the lakeshore at Pfäffikon. The fundaments of a Roman temple beneath the present church of St. Peter and Paul testify to Ufenau's long history. In 965 AD, the island passed to Einsiedeln Abbey, to which it still belongs. The two Romanesque churches – St. Peter and Paul plus the chapel of St. Martin – were consecrated in 1141. These plain, single-nave buildings with their ancient masonry, and the tower which soars above the choir of St. Peter and Paul, give the island an archaic feel. Ufenau is the last resting place of a belligerent knight, Ulrich von Hutten, who died on the island in 1523. The event is recorded in the C.F. Meyer's epic “Huttens letzte Tage” (“Hutten’s Last Days”).
The 17th century saw a minor flurry of building activity on the island: a small belvedere was built, along with the tenant farmer’s homestead and the associated barn. These can still be seen in the midst of extensive pastureland. Ever since steamer services were introduced and an inn was established in the tenant’s homestead in 1870, visitors have flocked to the island. In 1927 the Canton of Schwyz declared the whole island a nature reserve.
Today Ufenau is famous for its harmonious interplay of architecture, landscape and greenery. The belvedere and the churches sit near the edge of the island “basin”, with the farmhouse and its garden restaurant in the middle. The buildings and the landscape form an inseparable entity.
Trip tip
Anyone seeking an island paradise won’t be disappointed by Ufenau. It’s an ideal place to stroll, relax and enjoy a meal or a drink. The way to get there is by lake steamer. The island restaurant Inselwirtschaft Ufenau serves local specialities.
ISOS
ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.
