Discover Obermeilen

Obermeilen is a district of Meilen on the shore of Lake Zurich. Its history stretches from the prehistoric settlement traces at Rorenhaab to buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. It also includes local traditions, a suspension bridge over the Beugenbach ravine, and destinations in the wider municipality of Meilen.

Architectural history in Obermeilen

The Old Schoolhouse was built in 1835 by the newly established Obermeilen School Association in the style of a farmhouse. It served as a schoolhouse until 1936, was used as a kindergarten from 1942, and as a student club from 2004. This sequence shows how the building’s use changed over time.

Haus Schlehstud, the former home and studio of the Fischli family, was designed by architect Hans Fischli in 1933. It is considered the first flat-roofed building in Meilen and is a protected property of regional importance. The farmhouse style of the Old Schoolhouse and the flat-roofed Schlehstud make for a clear architectural contrast.

Early history and exhibitions

In January 1854, remains of a human settlement dating from pre-Roman times were discovered at Rorenhaab in Obermeilen. This early period long predates the construction of the two buildings described above. The pile-dwelling room shows how European pile-dwelling research began in Obermeilen; the exhibition topic may change.

The Meilen Local Museum has four permanent exhibitions on Meilen’s past, as well as changing thematic exhibitions. The permanent exhibitions give local history a regular place in the museum’s offering, while the thematic exhibitions focus on other subjects. If you are interested in a particular exhibition topic, it is worth checking the current offering before your visit.

Local traditions and specialties

The schoolchildren’s games day is part of Obermeilen’s annual autumn festival. The festival is still held in autumn, with roughly the same program. If you would like to plan your stay around an event, check the latest dates.

At the traditional Suuserchilbi in Obermeilen, white Suuser is served in three varieties: sweet Goofesuuser, lightly fermented Wiibersuuser, and robust Mannesuuser. The names distinguish the drinks by taste and degree of fermentation. Another local specialty is fresh Lake Zurich whitefish fritters, which the Grieser fishery in Obermeilen offers to enjoy.

Exploring the municipality of Meilen

A 60-meter-long and just under 1.5-meter-wide suspension bridge has crossed the Beugenbach ravine between Meilen and Obermeilen since June 2012. Its dimensions give the structure a tangible scale, while its location makes the connection between the two place names in the name of the crossing visible.

In the wider municipality of Meilen, the Horgen–Meilen Lake Zurich ferry and various scheduled boat services complement the public transport network. As schedules can change, check the latest connections before your trip.

Another destination in Meilen is the adventure trail: an easy circular route of approximately 5 to 7 kilometers that takes around 3 to 4 hours, making it about a half-day outing. It is suitable for children aged 7 to 12 and is accompanied by a free app. Check that the trail and app are currently available before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Küsnacht, Herrliberg, Zumikon, Hombrechtikon, Zollikon, Stäfa, Männedorf, Meilen.

Go to the main travel overview: Meilen.