The Horgen district is lying in Canton Zurich in the Switzerland. In the north it borders on Zurich, in the west on the district Affoltern and in the south to the cantons train and Schwyz. Lake Zurich lies in the east, which is why Horgen is part of the lake region. Some communities are located on the Sihl, which flows through the district to Zurich.
places
The district of Horgen currently comprises 12 independent municipalities, 7 of which border the lake. The "mountain communities" without access from north to south are Adliswil, Langnau a.A., Hirzel, Schönenberg and Hütten. Kilchberg, Rüschlikon, Thalwil, Oberrieden, Horgen, Wädenswil and finally Richterswil are on the lake. The district capital is Horgen, currently the most populous place is Wädenswil. However, through two mergers (Horgen Hirzel and Wädenswil Schönenberg Hütten) the number could shrink to 9 municipalities.
Other goals
The next big city is without a doubt Zurich in the north, which attracts with numerous sights and shopping streets. The largest city in Switzerland can be easily reached by train, car or ship. At the other end of the Lake Zurich is the historic Rapperswil with castle and zoo. There are numerous village parts within the district, most of which are independent[1]. These include, for example, the Au peninsula (to Wädenswil), Sihlbrugg Dorf Station (to Horgen) and Gattikon (to Thalwil).
background
The district is located in the Swiss plateau on the left bank of Lake Zurich ("Puffy coastThe river Sihl runs through large parts of the district and forms the more natural Sihl valley, the more urban areas are limited by the lake on the mountain slopes of Zimmerberg and Albis. The transition to the city of Zurich is mostly fluid, the communities have a high population density At the same time, there are also rural areas, especially in the mountain communities. Numerous ponds, rivers and streams shape the landscape and bring nature to the small towns. With a total of over 120,000 inhabitants, Horgen is one of the most populous areas, but nature is taken care of: Most of the villages have established themselves as energy cities, along the Sihl there are also almost untouched forests.No matter what you are looking for, you will find it in Horgen - be it farms, shopping centers or outdoor swimming pools.
language
In the district will Swiss German, a distant dialect of High German, spoken. In the past, the dialect of the lake region was independent, today it largely corresponds to that of the entire canton. As a result of immigration, one hears strange languages from time to time, but here too it becomes Zurich German much care taken. Most people, however, speak at least English and / or French and of course Standard German, the official language in politics and in schools.
getting there
By plane
The nearest airport that offers a wide range of international connections is the Zurich Airport - Kloten
(IATA: ZRH). Trains run regularly from the underground station to Zurich and from there on to the Horgen district, sometimes without changing trains. Further information under the title "By train".
By car
The motorway runs through the district A3, what a Basel begins and goes to the canton Grisons running. At the same time, several larger streets run through the district, for example the Seestrasse on the banks of Zurich. You can take the Lake Zurich ferry with your car from Meilen to Horgen and vice versa. Finally, use can also be made of the pass roads that lead from the Central Switzerland leads to the mountain communities.
By train
The villages are mostly well connected to the rail network and Thalwil is one of the most important train stations in the region. The S8, S2, S24 and S4 represent important lines, but interregional connections also often stop in at least one municipality in Horgen. The S25 runs without stopping between Wädenswil and Zurich. Further information can be found on the official website of the SBB (Swiss Federal Railways).[2]
Since the district is located in the canton of Zurich, it is largely served by the Zürcher Verkehrsbund ZVV. Whose Website also contains important information about tickets and connections.
By boat
Due to the fantastic location on the lake, there is at least one public shipping pier in every lake community. These are from the Lake Zurich Shipping Company, ZSG for short. The range of special trips can be found on the Website insight. As mentioned above, there are regular services between Horgen and Meilen Ferries. But there are also plenty of private moorings along the coast. The offer is supplemented by yachting and sailing clubs, which sometimes meet for regattas.
By bus
A few mountain communities can only be reached by bus. That is why there are many stations and a dense network of timetables. Here, too, you can find more details on the SBB and ZVV websites (see under "By train").
On foot
Due to the greater distance from the airport, it is not advisable to only travel on foot. Although the distances are shorter within the municipalities, the difference in altitude and the incline are quickly noticeable. Those who want to hike benefit from the numerous trails. You can also walk along the lake on the lakeside path, which partly runs in the country, sometimes on a jetty.
mobility
Tourist Attractions
Maritime communities
Horgen
The historic village center of the district capital takes you back to the Middle Ages with its squares and historic buildings. The is located directly on the water Sust, a former trading point for hem merchants, today a local museum with exciting exhibits from bygone times. The two churches are also in the center, while the old Käpfnach mine is a bit out of the way. The Art Nouveau Villa Seerose was built by a silk industrialist and stands in a prominent location next to the train station on the lakeshore. Other manufacturers' villas, awarded Sea pavilions and country estates are spread over the whole of Horgen.
Kilchberg ZH
The community is famous above all for the headquarters of the chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli. Other landmarks are the two churches, on the one hand the reformed church in traditional architectural style and the modern church of the Catholics. Also worth seeing are the local museum and the lakeside settlements as well as some historic houses.
Oberrieden
The two villas Sonnenbühl and Schönfels are imposing buildings, as is the reformed church and the former aircraft factory in the "Usser Scheller". There are also some historic houses in this municipality, some of which are now used for other purposes. The former station buildings are also worth a visit.
Richterswil
The churches in the neo-baroque and neo-Gothic style are historically extremely interesting, as are the castle ruins Alt-Waedenswil a little away from the village center. This is beautifully designed and consists of picturesque half-timbered houses and restaurants. Other religious buildings and train station buildings are among the sights of the historic town.
Rüschlikon
In addition to the churches, the healing spring Nidelbad, which has been converted into a spa house, is worth seeing. The bathhouses, school houses and villas are also well worth seeing from a historical perspective. There is also a lakeside settlement in Rüschlikon and the country house Oetikergut in old architectural style. In 2016, Rüschlikon was named the "most attractive municipality in Switzerland".[3]
Thalwil
The two ponds in Thalwil and Gattikon are beautifully embedded in nature and invite you to linger. Those who want to marvel at historical buildings are well served with the Pfister local museum and the two ancient churches. There are also a few villas in Thalwil, including the Villa Diana and the Jenny Castle. The boathouse on the lake and the schoolhouses including gyms are also among the sights.
Waedenswil
Numerous farms with a long history, lakeside settlements from bygone times and historic houses are worth a visit. The reformed church and the half-timbered house on Bühl are also interesting, that Wädenswil Castle anyway. Former factory owners' villas and factory buildings nestle against the lakeshore, and the most important key data and information about the community are summarized in the Zur Hohlen Eich local museum. Don't forget the Catholic Church and the many boathouses along the water.
Mountain communities
Adliswil
The Catholic Trinity Church and the former silk weaving mill with numerous outbuildings are important excursion destinations in the municipality of Adliswil. Other Christian buildings and school houses are certainly worth seeing. The offer is rounded off by the Sihlausteg and many historic farmhouses and houses.
Hirzel
The birthplace and museum of Johanna Spyri, the inventor of Heidi, is known throughout the region. The churches and former farmhouses testify to a long and eventful history of this village. But nature is also fascinatingly beautiful: Hirzel is surrounded by picturesque hills and moorland, the wild Sihl and the former mule track complement the idyllic townscape.
Huts
The former inn Bären and an old reformed church are located in huts. The Hüttnerschanze, which was built in 1712, is also located in the mountain community. Here, too, you can marvel at many farm buildings and houses with a traditional architectural style.
Langnau a.A.
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The former Staub spinning mill, to which a manufacturer's villa still belongs, is worth seeing. Barns, churches, farmhouses and residential houses are also included here as attractions. Finally, the former castle, the train station and the two-part judges' house are worth a visit.
Schönenberg ZH
The Reformed Church can be found in the center of the village, the Catholic Church is a little further away. Former farmhouses from bygone times and barns are well worth seeing. But don't forget the historic wash house and the ski jump!
activities
kitchen
nightlife
security
The district has a rather low crime rate. In 2016, 32 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants were registered, in 2015 it was 17% more. The emergency numbers are the same as in all of Switzerland. For the international emergency call you dial 112, for the police 117 and for the fire brigade 118. If you need medical services, you dial 144. You can find other emergency numbers in Switzerland here.
