Schloss Au

Schloss Au is a neo-baroque country estate in Au, a locality of Wädenswil on the shore of Lake Zurich, Switzerland. The manor stands on the Au peninsula, a public stretch of vineyards, lakeside paths and swimming spots between Wädenswil and Horgen. Today the house serves as a conference venue.

What is Schloss Au and who built it?

The estate goes back to the mid-17th century, when Hans Rudolf Werdmüller had a Venetian-style villa erected on the site. The building you see now dates from 1928–29, when architect Johann A. Freytag remodelled it as a neo-baroque villa. He also folded in the wine press house known as the Werdmüller-Trotte, which dates to the 1720s and stands on the north side.

Why is the peninsula still undeveloped?

In 1911 local industrialists from Wädenswil formed the Au-Konsortium, which bought the central part of the Au hill and its inn, keeping housing off the peninsula. In August 1989 the Canton of Zurich received the estate as a donation from the von Schulthess-Rechberg family, who framed it as a gift for the 700th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation. In 1991 the cantonal government approved a plan to use the house for teacher training and continuing education.

What can you see here?

• The manor house – the neo-baroque facade is visible from the surrounding paths. Inside, the house hosts conferences, and the Schlosshalle stages concerts. Interiors are geared to event guests, so check ahead before planning a visit.
• The Au peninsula – shoreline walks, bathing spots, and views across the lake toward the Alps.
• Vineyards and the wine museum – an exhibition in a historic barn covers winegrowing past and present; tourist information lists it as open on Sundays from April to October.
• Wädenswil–Vorder Au – a Neolithic lake-dwelling site, one of the prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements around Lake Zurich. Part of it lies within the estate's roughly 26 hectares.
• Landgasthof Halbinsel Au – a country inn with a fish restaurant, a sun terrace and 18 rooms.

How do you get to Schloss Au?

From Zurich Hauptbahnhof, the S-Bahn takes about 26 minutes, followed by a walk of roughly 10 minutes onto the peninsula. You can also take a boat from Bürkliplatz; the trip lasts around 70 minutes and doubles as a lake cruise.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring to early autumn suits walking and swimming, and the wine museum opens only between April and October. Autumn adds colour to the vineyards.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go inside Schloss Au? The house works as a conference centre, so access depends on events. The peninsula and grounds around it are open to walkers.

Who owns Schloss Au? The Canton of Zurich, since 1989. Before that it belonged to the von Schulthess-Rechberg family.

Can I eat or stay overnight on the peninsula? Yes. The Landgasthof Halbinsel Au offers a fish restaurant and 18 guest rooms.

Is it a good day trip from Zurich? Yes. The trip takes under an hour including the walk, and you can combine architecture, a lakeside stroll and a taste of local wine.