Zürichhorn and Casino Zürichhorn

Why is it significant?

Stand on the scenic promontory of the Zürichhorn, extending like a gentle horn into the clear waters of Lake Zurich.

Key Facts

Open the walk

Stand on the scenic promontory of the Zürichhorn, extending like a gentle horn into the clear waters of Lake Zurich. This is the premier viewpoint along the right shore, offering an uninterrupted panorama encompassing the spires of Zurich's Old Town, the forested crest of the Albis hills, and the wide lake stretching south. Before you rises the elegant Lake Side restaurant, formerly known as the Casino Zürichhorn.

The Zürichhorn possesses a fascinating aviation history. In the sixteenth century, the city maintained a quarantine station here for boatmen, which later evolved into a lakeside beer garden in the nineteenth century. In 1919, Swiss aviation pioneer Walter Mittelholzer launched the country's first commercial passenger seaplane service from this very shoreline, taking passengers on breathtaking sightseeing flights over the Alps.

Mittelholzer founded the airline Ad Astra Aero here, which subsequently merged with other aviation pioneers to form Switzerland's national carrier, Swissair. Excited passengers boarded amphibious flying boats from a wooden jetty at the Zürichhorn to soar above mountain glaciers. 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 Zürichhorn is the epitome of relaxed lakeside living. People sit with their legs dangling over stone seawalls, eating artisan gelato and watching the sunset cast golden hues across the distant church towers. Passenger ferries arrive at the pier, and the rhythmic lap of waves sets a leisurely pace. 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.

Walk a few paces south along the grassy shoreline to the monumental kinetic sculpture Heureka by Jean Tinguely.