Ufenau is an
island
An island (or isle) is an isolated piece of habitat that is surrounded by a dramatically different habitat, such as water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, skerries, cays or keys. An island ...
located, with the neighbouring island of
Lützelau
Lützelau (Old High German: ''little island'') is an island located, with the neighbouring island of Ufenau, in Lake Zürich in Switzerland between Rapperswil ( away) and Freienbach ( away).
Geography
Lützelau lies in Höfe district in the Can ...
, in
Lake Zürich
__NOTOC__
Lake Zurich ( Swiss German/ Alemannic: ''Zürisee''; German: ''Zürichsee''; rm, Lai da Turitg) is a lake in Switzerland, extending southeast of the city of Zürich. Depending on the context, Lake Zurich or ''Zürichsee'' can be used ...
in
Switzerland between
Freienbach
Freienbach is a municipality in Höfe District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.
History
Freienbach is first mentioned in 972 as ''Friginbach''.
Geography
Freienbach has an area, , of . Of this area, 40.7% is used for agricultural purpos ...
( away) and
Rapperswil
Rapperswil (Swiss German: or ;Andres Kristol, ''Rapperswil SG (See)'' in: ''Dictionnaire toponymique des communes suisses – Lexikon der schweizerischen Gemeindenamen – Dizionario toponomastico dei comuni svizzeri (DTS, LSG)'', Centre de dial ...
( away). Highlights on Ufenau include ''St. Peter & Paul'' church, ''St. Martin's'' chapel, and Ufenau's idyllic landscape in the
Frauenwinkel
Frauenwinkel is a mire landscape in Switzerland, situated at the ''Seedamm'' area on ''Zürichsee'' lakeshore in the municipality of Freienbach in the Canton of Schwyz.
Geography
Frauenwinkel is situated on the ''Seedamm'' area in Hurden, ...
protected area.
Geography
Ufenau lies in
Höfe district
Höfe District is a district of the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The coat of arms of the Höfe is ''per pale: gules, two lions rampant contourny or; and or, three lions passant gules''. It has a population of (as of ).
The district contains th ...
in the
Canton of Schwyz
The canton of Schwyz (german: Kanton Schwyz rm, Chantun Sviz; french: Canton de Schwytz; it, Canton Svitto) is a canton in central Switzerland between the Alps in the south, Lake Lucerne to the west and Lake Zürich in the north, centred on ...
. The island measures in all, from east to west and from north to south. The highest point of the island is above sea level or above lake level on . Swimming, camping and other leisure activities are forbidden, as it is a protected area.
On occasion of the formation of the Alps, the fossilized sediments material of the body of water between the Ricken and Etzel chains unfolded. There arose the typical rock bands that form the
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 ...
in Rapperswil, or the islands of Ufnau,
Lützelau
Lützelau (Old High German: ''little island'') is an island located, with the neighbouring island of Ufenau, in Lake Zürich in Switzerland between Rapperswil ( away) and Freienbach ( away).
Geography
Lützelau lies in Höfe district in the Can ...
and
Heilighüsli. During the last Ice Age the island was under a thick layer of ice. Ufnau consists of two parallel rock ridges: the hard layers of conglomerate rock in the south and the northern sandstone ridge survived the sanding by the glacier.
Transport
The first steamship stopped at the northern shore in 1857. 15 years later a landing gate was built in the south, and in 1881 the present ship gate for touristic use was established in the north; the southern ship gate gave location to a small harbour that is used for private-owned motorboats and sailing yachts.
Tourist boat trips, run by the
Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft
The ''Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft'' or Lake Zürich Navigation Company (commonly abbreviated to ZSG) is a public Swiss company operating passenger ships and boats on Lake Zürich.
The company operates services connecting lake-side towns ...
(ZSG), sail between
Zürich-Bürkliplatz and
Rapperswil
Rapperswil (Swiss German: or ;Andres Kristol, ''Rapperswil SG (See)'' in: ''Dictionnaire toponymique des communes suisses – Lexikon der schweizerischen Gemeindenamen – Dizionario toponomastico dei comuni svizzeri (DTS, LSG)'', Centre de dial ...
.
Ufenau - Speer-Chüemettler-Federispitz - ZSG Panta Rhei 2016-06-22 15-57-13.JPG, westerly view of Ufenau island as seen from ZSG ship MS ''Helvetia''
Ufenau 2011-07-25 17-25-54.jpg, Ufenau as seen from the southern privately used jetty
Frauenwinkel - Ufenau IMG 2525.JPG, Ufenau as seen from the ''Frauenwinkel
Frauenwinkel is a mire landscape in Switzerland, situated at the ''Seedamm'' area on ''Zürichsee'' lakeshore in the municipality of Freienbach in the Canton of Schwyz.
Geography
Frauenwinkel is situated on the ''Seedamm'' area in Hurden, ...
'' protected area
Ufenau - Feldbach - Etzel 2015-05-28 12-50-48.JPG, Ufenau as seen from Feusisberg towards ''Etzel'' Kulm
History
![Ufnau Hutten](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e6/Ufnau_Hutten.jpg)
In 1st and 2nd century, the remains of a Roman temple are dated, broken during
Alamannic occupation of the
Swiss plateau
The Swiss Plateau or Central Plateau (german: Schweizer Mittelland; french: plateau suisse; it, altopiano svizzero) is one of the three major landscapes in Switzerland, lying between the Jura Mountains and the Swiss Alps. It covers about 30% of ...
. In 5th or 6th century, a first Christian church was built on this probably pre-
Roman
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
''sacred area''. Ufenau is first mentioned in 741 as «Hupinauia», and in 744 as «Ubinauvia» – island of Huppan or Huphan. Probably between 900 and 920, the early Christian church was destroyed by the
Huns. On 23 January 965, the island was given by Emperor
Otto I
Otto I (23 November 912 – 7 May 973), traditionally known as Otto the Great (german: Otto der Große, it, Ottone il Grande), was East Frankish king from 936 and Holy Roman Emperor from 962 until his death in 973. He was the oldest son of He ...
to
Einsiedeln Abbey
Einsiedeln Abbey (german: Kloster Einsiedeln) is a Benedictine Catholic monastery in the village of Einsiedeln in the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, in recognition of Meinrad of Einsiedeln, a he ...
, that still is its owner. In 926 or some years later, St. Peter & Paul church' preceding building was given by the
Hunfridings The Hunfridings or Burchardings (''Bouchardids'') were a family of probably Alemannic origin who rose to prominence in their homeland, eventually becoming the first ducal dynasty of Swabia. The first known member of the family was Hunfrid, Margrav ...
noblewoman Reginlinda and
Burchard II, Duke of Swabia
Burchard II (883/88429 April 926) was the Hunfriding Duke of Swabia (from 917) and Count of Raetia. He was the son of Burchard I of Swabia and Liutgard of Saxony.
Burchard took part in the early wars over Swabia. His family being from Francon ...
, in addition with a house for herself and her son Adalrich. Reginlinda died in 958 and is buried in Einsiedeln. In 973 later ''Saint Adalrich'' (
Canonization in 1659) died on Ufenau.
Historians mention a 10th-century ferry station assumably at the so-called ''
Einsiedlerhaus
Einsiedlerhaus is a historic building with an adjoint garden which is part of the former town wall of the medieval Swiss town of Rapperswil in the Canton of St. Gallen.
Location
Situated on the shore of Zürichsee lake, Einsiedlerhaus is the ...
'' in
Rapperswil
Rapperswil (Swiss German: or ;Andres Kristol, ''Rapperswil SG (See)'' in: ''Dictionnaire toponymique des communes suisses – Lexikon der schweizerischen Gemeindenamen – Dizionario toponomastico dei comuni svizzeri (DTS, LSG)'', Centre de dial ...
– in 981 AD as well as the vineyard on the
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 ...
– between
Kempraten
Kempraten-Lenggis is a village (''Kirchdorf'') within the municipality of Rapperswil-Jona, ''Wahlkreis'' (constituency) of See-Gaster in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. The remains of the Gallo-Roman settlement '' Centum Prata'' are on ...
on lake shore,
Lützelau
Lützelau (Old High German: ''little island'') is an island located, with the neighbouring island of Ufenau, in Lake Zürich in Switzerland between Rapperswil ( away) and Freienbach ( away).
Geography
Lützelau lies in Höfe district in the Can ...
and Ufenau island and assumably present
Hurden
Hurden is a village in the municipality of Freienbach in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. First mentioned in 1217, the name "de Hurden" was used for the peninsula and for the fish traps made of woven work, called "Hürden" or "Hurden", which ...
, which allowed the pilgrims towards Einsiedeln to cross the lake before the prehistoric bridge at the
Seedamm The Rapperswil Seedamm is the partially artificial causeway and bridge at the most narrow area of Lake Zurich, between Hurden (SZ) and Rapperswil (SG). The Seedamm carries a road and a railway across the lake, with the railway being used by the ...
isthmus was
re-built in 1358.
In 1798 the
Helvetic Republic secularized the Einsiedeln Abbey's property, and Ufenau was given to the non-durable
Canton of Linth. In 1805 Ufenau was given by the merchant Family Curti from Rapperswil to the Einsiedeln Abbey.
![Ufenau 2011-07-25 17-05-00](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/96/Ufenau_2011-07-25_17-05-00.jpg)
5800 ''
Vitis vinifera
''Vitis vinifera'', the common grape vine, is a species of flowering plant, native to the Mediterranean region, Central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran. There are curr ...
'' ''Blauburgunder'' (Pinot noir) were planted in 1986. The Einsiedeln Abbey owns of the Ufenau vineyards which are cultivated by its winery.
On 7 December 2003 the Ufenau association was founded, one year later «Freunde der Insel Ufnau». ''Friends of Ufenau island'' is a
booster club to finance some projects for maintenance of the buildings located on the island, including both churches, and for the restaurant's renewal. It supports a long-time idea called «Insel der Stille» (island of silence), including a path way for disabled people around the island (completed in 2007), and regeneration of the island's shore areas to prevent increased
erosion
Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust, and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Erosion is dis ...
.
St. Peter & Paul church and St. Martin's chapel
![St](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/St._Martinskapelle_%28Ufenau%29_2016-06-22_15-27-02.JPG)
The present ''St. Peter & Paul church'' was built in 1141/42 (first mentioned in 970) and renewed in 1958/59. For hundred of years, it was the
parish church
A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in community activities, ...
for the people living in the surrounding villages of Lake Zürich's upper shores. In 1522 Hans Klarer «Schnegg», a close friend of
Ulrich Zwingli
Huldrych or Ulrich Zwingli (1 January 1484 – 11 October 1531) was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland, born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system. He attended the Univ ...
, served as pastor on Ufenau. One year later, Klarer convinced Zwingli, to refuge
Ulrich von Hutten
Ulrich von Hutten (21 April 1488 – 29 August 1523) was a German knight, scholar, poet and satirist, who later became a follower of Martin Luther and a Protestant reformer.
By 1519, he was an outspoken critic of the Roman Catholic Church. Hu ...
on Ufenau, where he died in seclusion. In 1968, his remains were identified, and buried in 1970 under a tombstone besides St. Peter & Paul church. Hutten's two years in exile on the island are immortalized by
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (11 October 1825 – 28 November 1898) was a Swiss poet and historical novelist, a master of literary realism who is mainly remembered for stirring narrative ballads like "Die Füße im Feuer" (The Feet in the Fire).
Biog ...
in «Huttens letzte Tage» (Hutten's last days).
''St. Martin's chapel'', few meters away, is dated in the 7th century. It was renewed in 1933/34 and in 1964/65. St. Martin's was built on the remains of a former
Gallo-Roman
Gallo-Roman culture was a consequence of the Romanization of Gauls under the rule of the Roman Empire. It was characterized by the Gaulish adoption or adaptation of Roman culture, language, morals and way of life in a uniquely Gaulish context ...
temple dating back to the 2nd century. Until the early 14th century, both churches were also important cultural and intellectual centres for the communities dotted around Lake Zurich. A small
wooden bridge
A timber bridge or wooden bridge is a bridge that uses timber or wood as its principal structural material. One of the first forms of bridge, those of timber have been used since ancient times.
History
The most ancient form of timber bridge is ...
to
Hurden
Hurden is a village in the municipality of Freienbach in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland. First mentioned in 1217, the name "de Hurden" was used for the peninsula and for the fish traps made of woven work, called "Hürden" or "Hurden", which ...
is mentioned until 1430, so-called «Kilchweg in die Uffnow» meaning pathway to the Ufenau church.
[Hurden: History](_blank)
/ref>
St. Peter und Paul (Ufenau) 2011-07-25 16-52-42 ShiftN.jpg, St. Peter and Paul church
St. Peter und Paul (Ufenau) - Innenansicht 2016-06-22 15-29-19.JPG, interior
Adalrich - St. Peter und Paul (Ufenau) 2016-06-22 15-28-34.JPG, Saint Adalric, fresco in the church
St. Martinskapelle (Ufenau) 2011-07-25 17-07-20 ShiftN.jpg, St. Martin chapel
St. Martinskapelle (Ufenau) - Innenansicht 2011-07-25 16-55-52.JPG, Saint Adalric's shrine
Adalrich's Mutter, Herzogin Regelinda von Schwaben, St. Peter und Paul (Ufenau) - Regelinda 2016-06-22 15-28-13.JPG, Noblewoman Regelinda of Swabia and the churches on the Ufenau island, St. Peter and Paul church
Saint Adalric's Relic, sealed in a shrine, were lost during 2nd Villmergen war in 1712: Zurich soldiers destroyed the altars and parts of both churches and have stolen St. Peter & Paul's two church bells. In 1736 St. Peter & Paul was rebuilt and the bells were replaced; St. Martin's chapel was renewed in 1790.
2016–2018 renovation
On 21 March 2015, the monks of Einsiedeln Abbey
Einsiedeln Abbey (german: Kloster Einsiedeln) is a Benedictine Catholic monastery in the village of Einsiedeln in the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, in recognition of Meinrad of Einsiedeln, a he ...
decided to make renovations to the buildings on Ufenau. The most prominent of these is ''Haus zu den zwei Raben'' (lit. House of the Two Ravens), built in 1681, which has housed a restaurant since 2007. The Abbey submitted a planning application on 14 August 2015 and estimated a total cost of 6.5 million Swiss francs
The Swiss franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also legal tender in the Italian exclave of Campione d'Italia which is surrounded by Swiss territory. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) issues banknotes and the f ...
, then hired architects Pius Bieri and Frank Roskothen to lead the work. The application was approved on 8 October 2015 and began shortly thereafter. The work cost 7 million Swiss Francs (CHF), of which four million francs were collected by the Friends of Ufenau Island, the municipality of Freienbach, and Canton Schwyz. For the missing funds, the Einsiedeln Abbey agreed the acquisition of a substantial share of the construction costs. The island was closed to the public until the completion of renovations in early 2018, officially reopening on the 23rd.
Cultural heritage
''Ufnau'' – correctly spelled «Ufnau», but «Ufenau» is commonly used – and the ''Frauenwinkel
Frauenwinkel is a mire landscape in Switzerland, situated at the ''Seedamm'' area on ''Zürichsee'' lakeshore in the municipality of Freienbach in the Canton of Schwyz.
Geography
Frauenwinkel is situated on the ''Seedamm'' area in Hurden, ...
'' area were placed under conservation in 1927. Since 1993 Ufenau is a «Moorlandschaft von besonderer Schönheit und nationaler Bedeutung», i.e. a bog environment of extraordinary beauty and national importance. Ufenau and its two churches are listed in the Swiss inventory of cultural property of national and regional significance a ''Class A'' objects of national importance.
Literature
* Gerold Späth
Gerold Späth (born 16 October 1939 in Rapperswil) is a Swiss author, poet and writer.
Life and career
Born 1939 in Rapperswil on the ''Obersee'' lakeshore in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland, the son of an organ builder made his stud ...
: Poem ''Hebed Sorg''. In: ''Ufnau – Insel der Stille'', Rapperswil 2005.
References
External links
*
Freunde der Insel Ufnau
{{Authority control
Landforms of the canton of Schwyz
Lake islands of Switzerland
Tourist attractions in the canton of Schwyz
Cultural property of national significance in the canton of Schwyz
Islands of Lake Zurich
Freienbach