Save this place and discover nearby attractions with NextOnTrip
In the app you can add it to your favorites, see what else is worth visiting nearby on the map, and earn a badge for your visit.
The app is available for iPhone and Android.
About this place
Reformierte Kirche Horgen is a Rococo Reformed church in Horgen, a town on the western shore of Lake Zurich in the canton of Zurich. Completed in 1782, it is the town's best-known landmark, and its tower rises above the lakeside rooftops.
Who built it, and why?
The builder Johann Jakob Haltiner received the commission in April 1780. The earlier church had been too small since around 1760, and its tower was so decayed that it was pulled down in 1780. The parish chose a full replacement over another repair. Note the architect: visitors sometimes assume the Grubenmann family of famous Swiss carpenter-builders was involved, but the sources point to Haltiner.
What is inside?
The interior is a central-plan hall where the congregation gathers around the pulpit, in keeping with Reformed worship. A self-supporting roof structure leaves the nave wide and free of columns. Andreas Moosbrugger made the Rococo stucco decoration, which was finished in the summer of 1782. Pastor Kaspar Lavater is recorded as preaching the first sermon in the new building.
How tall is the tower?
Tourism sources give the tower's height as 70.5 m. It is one of the most recognisable features of the Horgen skyline, visible from the streets below and from the lake.
How do you get there?
Horgen lies on the lakeside railway line, and S-Bahn trains from Zurich take a short ride. A ferry also links Horgen with Meilen across the lake. The church stands in the town centre, within walking distance of the station and the ferry landing.
When should you visit?
Daytime outside service hours works best. Opening times for the interior are set by the parish, so check the Horgen Reformed parish website before you go. The exterior and tower can be admired from the street at any time.
Frequently asked questions
When was the church built? In 1782, in Rococo style, with an interior planned for Reformed worship.
Who designed it? Johann Jakob Haltiner. Andreas Moosbrugger created the stucco work inside.
Is the interior richly decorated? Yes, through stucco ornament rather than altars. The pulpit is the focal point.
Can you climb the tower? The sources we used do not mention tower access. The best views of it come from a walk through the centre and along the waterfront.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.