Rechberg Garden and Florahof

Why is it significant?

Pass through the ornate wrought-iron gate and enter the tranquil sanctuary of the Rechberg Garden on the Hirschengraben. This is the only completely preserved Baroque terraced garden in Zurich, a secluded masterpiece of classical landscape design.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Pass through the ornate wrought-iron gate and enter the tranquil sanctuary of the Rechberg Garden on the Hirschengraben. This is the only completely preserved Baroque terraced garden in Zurich, a secluded masterpiece of classical landscape design. Laid out around 1700 for wealthy patrician silk merchant families, the garden climbs the sunny hillside in geometric terraces.

Admire the clipped boxwood borders, fragrant rosebeds, and bubbling sandstone wall fountains adorned with carved mascarons. At the upper terrace stands a delicate garden pavilion decorated with eighteenth-century ceiling frescoes, historically used for chamber music soirées and philosophical discussions by Zurich's intellectual elite.

The adjoining Palais Rechberg, constructed between 1798 and 1800, served as grand headquarters for allied European monarchs and diplomats during the Congress of Zurich in 1813. Here, visiting sovereigns and ambassadors negotiated the post-Napoleonic reconstruction of Europe in rooms that still resonate with historical gravity. The architectural details of the masonry and the historic aura of the site continuously captivate visitors and residents alike. An attentive walk through these storied corners demonstrates how harmoniously Zurich's deep history merges with its contemporary urban rhythm.

Today, the palace is maintained by the University of Zurich while the terraced garden remains open to the public as an oasis of quiet contemplation. Butterflies flutter over lavender blossoms as your view extends across the red rooftops of the Old Town below. It is a haven of aristocratic poise in the middle of a bustling university city. Generations of proud local residents have shaped this remarkable landmark, passing its timeless stories down to present-day travelers. Throughout the surrounding neighborhoods, visitors can clearly sense the harmonious blend of historic tradition and cosmopolitan energy.

Here concludes our walk through the vibrant right bank of Zurich. We hope the rich memories of Zwingli's Reformation, Dadaist revolutionary spirit, and sweeping views from the Polyterrasse will enrich your appreciation of this extraordinary Swiss city.