Burg Maur

Burg Maur (also called Schloss Maur) is a medieval castle in the village of Maur on the south-western shore of Lake Greifensee, in the Swiss canton of Zurich. It now houses the Museen Maur and is one of the municipality's best-known landmarks.

Where is Maur Castle?

Maur lies in the Uster district, on the western side of Greifensee, at roughly 47.34° N, 8.67° E. The village is first recorded in the Grossmünster rotulus of Zurich, dated around 876–888, so the castle stands in a settlement more than a thousand years old. Do not confuse it with Schloss Greifensee, which sits on the lake's northern shore and has its own separate history.

How did the castle begin?

It was built around 1250 as a residential tower for the Meier, the local steward of Maur. It is a typical tower castle of the region. For centuries it served as an important administrative seat of the Fraumünster abbey in Zurich, which held the church patronage and lower jurisdiction here and appointed its official in the village. The knights of Maur lived here as well.

What happened in later centuries?

From 1652 to 1775 the castle was the seat of the Maur court lordship (Gerichtsherrschaft). In 1749 the Zurich engraver and publisher David Herrliberger settled here and served as local judge. He is known for his prints of eighteenth-century Switzerland. In the 19th century the building was extended and turned into an unfortified country house, which explains its calm, residential look today. The municipality of Maur has owned it since 1962.

What can you see inside?

The castle is home to Museen Maur. The museum stages changing exhibitions and shows a collection of works by Herrliberger, who lived within these walls. It suits visitors interested in regional history, printmaking and the story of Zurich country estates. Combine the visit with a walk through Maur and along the Greifensee shore.

When should you visit?

Opening hours change, so check the Museen Maur website or write to [email protected] before you go. Temporary exhibitions rotate, so what you see depends on the date. Plan the lakeside walk for a day with good weather; the castle itself takes a short visit.

Frequently asked questions

Are Schloss Maur and Schloss Greifensee the same castle?

No. Burg Maur stands in Maur on the western shore. Schloss Greifensee is on the northern side of the lake and was rebuilt between 1514 and about 1530.

How old is the castle?

It dates from around 1250, when it was built as a residential tower for the Meier of Maur. It was extended in the 19th century.

Who lived here?

The knights of Maur, officials of the Fraumünster abbey and, from 1749, the engraver David Herrliberger.

Can you go inside?

Yes. The castle houses Museen Maur. Check current opening hours on the museum's website before you travel.