Lake Zurich

The lake of Zurich

The lake of Zurich is a vast banana-shaped body of water, forty-two kilometres long, whose north end borders the city. The Zurich audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this lake with turquoise waters, one hundred and forty-three metres deep, that has yielded vestiges of prehistoric pile dwellings inscribed in the world heritage of UNESCO.

The lake of the prehistoric pile dwellings

You are here at the north end of the lake of Zurich. Switzerland counts nearly two hundred lakes, and that of Zurich, of which you see only a tiny part, has the shape of a banana forty-two kilometres long. It covers eighty-eight square kilometres and reaches a maximum depth of one hundred and forty-three metres. You imagine that it takes a lot for such a lake to freeze entirely: the lake of Zurich transformed into a thick carpet of ice for the last time in the winter of 1963, an exceptional event that attracted thousands of people. But this lake also conceals an archaeological treasure: excavations have brought to light the vestiges of prehistoric pile dwellings, these palafittes installed at the edge of the water thousands of years ago. The site today is part of the world heritage of UNESCO and benefits from federal protection. Divers have found there an almost complete furniture: kitchen utensils, storage elements, bone tools, stone axes, remains of textiles and jewellery made of animal teeth, witnesses of the daily life of the Stone Age. Today, the lake is a much appreciated place of relaxation, conducive to boat trips, bathing and the contemplation of the Alps on the horizon. A majestic lake and a prehistoric treasure, the lake of Zurich is a fine stop of the discovery of the city.

What to see

Here you contemplate a vast banana-shaped lake, forty-two kilometres long and one hundred and forty-three metres deep, whose north end borders the city; with turquoise waters, frozen for the last time in 1963, it has yielded vestiges of prehistoric pile dwellings classified by UNESCO, including a rich furniture of the Stone Age. The lake of Zurich is a major place of relaxation. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The lake of Zurich borders the city at its north end, reachable on foot from the centre or by tram. Its quays are freely accessible; you enjoy there walks, boat cruises and, in summer, bathing. You discover it during a stroll along the water.

What has been discovered in the lake of Zurich?

Vestiges of prehistoric pile dwellings, the palafittes, installed at the edge of the water thousands of years ago and today classified in the world heritage of UNESCO; divers have found there an almost complete furniture, kitchen utensils, bone tools, stone axes, remains of textiles and jewellery of animal teeth, witnesses of life in the Stone Age.

Where is the lake of Zurich?

At the south end of the city of Zurich, in Switzerland, whose centre it borders at its north end.