The Lindenhof, in the
old town
In a city or town, the old town is its historic or original core. Although the city is usually larger in its present form, many cities have redesignated this part of the city to commemorate its origins after thorough renovations. There are ma ...
of
Zürich
Zürich () is the list of cities in Switzerland, largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zürich. As of January 2020, the municipality has 43 ...
, Switzerland, is the historical site of the Roman castle, and the later
Carolingian
The Carolingian dynasty (; known variously as the Carlovingians, Carolingus, Carolings, Karolinger or Karlings) was a Frankish noble family named after Charlemagne, grandson of mayor Charles Martel and a descendant of the Arnulfing and Pippin ...
Kaiserpfalz
The term ''Kaiserpfalz'' (, "imperial palace") or ''Königspfalz'' (, "royal palace", from Middle High German ''phal ne'' to Old High German ''phalanza'' from Middle Latin ''palatia'' luralto Latin ''palatium'' "palace") refers to a number of ...
. It is situated on
Lindenhof hill
The Lindenhof (lit.: ''courtyard of the lime'') is a moraine hill and a public square in the historic center of Zürich, Switzerland. It is the site of the Roman and Carolingian era Kaiserpfalz around which the city has historically grown. The ...
, on the left side of the
Limmat
The Limmat is a river in Switzerland. The river commences at the outfall of Lake Zurich, in the southern part of the city of Zurich. From Zurich it flows in a northwesterly direction, after 35 km reaching the river Aare. The confluenc ...
at the
Schipfe Schipfe is a residential district in Zürich, Switzerland, located on the eastern slope of the Lindenhof, one of the oldest parts of the Helvetii Oppidum Zürich-Lindenhof, by the river Limmat. Historians and the '' Weinplatz'' suggest that the ...
.
In 1747, a second-century Roman tombstone was discovered at the site, bearing the oldest attestation of ''Turīcum'', the Roman-era name of Zürich, as ''STA
ioTURIC
nsis', at the time a tax-collection point. The castle remained intact during the early phase of
Alemanni
The Alemanni or Alamanni, were a confederation of Germanic tribes
*
*
*
on the Upper Rhine River. First mentioned by Cassius Dio in the context of the campaign of Caracalla of 213, the Alemanni captured the in 260, and later expanded into pres ...
c immigration in between the fifth and sixth centuries, but was derelict by the ninth century, when it was rebuilt as a residence for
Louis the German
Louis the German (c. 806/810 – 28 August 876), also known as Louis II of Germany and Louis II of East Francia, was the first king of East Francia, and ruled from 843 to 876 AD. Grandson of emperor Charlemagne and the third son of Louis the P ...
. It later became dilapidated and used as a source of building stone by the 13th century.
The Lindenhof remained a place of civil assembly into modern times. In 1798, the citizens of Zürich swore the oath to the constitution of the
Helvetic Republic
The Helvetic Republic (, , ) was a sister republic of France that existed between 1798 and 1803, during the French Revolutionary Wars. It was created following the French invasion and the consequent dissolution of the Old Swiss Confederacy, ma ...
on the Lindenhof.
In 1851, the Modestia cum Libertate
Masonic Lodge
A Masonic lodge, often termed a private lodge or constituent lodge, is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. It is also commonly used as a term for a building in which such a unit meets. Every new lodge must be warranted or chartered ...
(established in 1771) bought the residence Zum Paradies and built a masonic building on the southern side of the square.
In the early 21st century, it serves as a recreational space, a green oasis, and automobile-free zone in the old historic city centre. Its elevated position makes it a popular location for tourists to get an overview of the geography of old Zürich.
In April, during the local holiday of
Sechseläuten
The ''Sechseläuten'' (Zürich German: ''Sächsilüüte'', "The six o'clock ringing of the bells") is a traditional spring holiday in the Swiss city of Zürich celebrated in its current form, usually on the 3rd Monday of April, since the early 2 ...
, the Lindenhof serves as the base of operations for whichever is the "guest
canton" for that year.
See also
*
History of Zürich
Zürich has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. The vicus of ''Turicum'' was established in AD 90, at the site of an existing Gaulish ( Helvetic) settlement.
Gallo-Roman culture appears to have persisted beyond the collapse of the W ...
Literature
* Präsidialdepartement der Stadt Zürich, Statistik Stadt Zürich: ''Quartierspiegel Lindenhof''. Zürich 2006
PDF; 2.77 MB
References
External links
Schipfe.ch
view from the Lindenhof
{{Commons category, Lindenhof (Quarter Zürich)
Altstadt (Zürich)
History of Zürich
de:Lindenhof (Zürcher Hügelzug)