Uster: Castle, Culture and Lake Greifensee

Uster combines distinctive cultural landmarks with the landscape around Lake Greifensee. The castle, art trails and former Zellweger industrial site each offer different historical and design highlights; by the lake, the nature reserve, lakeside paths and reed beds define the natural setting. When looking for a hotel in Uster, it helps to first decide which of these themes you want to make the focus of your stay.

Castle, Art and Industrial History

Uster Castle is the city’s landmark. It stands on a vineyard above the Reformed Church; from the Känzeli viewpoint, you can see the castle, the church and Uster’s new centre. During the summer season, from mid-June to the end of October, the castle is open on Sundays from 2 to 5 pm and can be visited without registration. Check these seasonal opening hours before your trip.

Two cultural trails explore different aspects of the cityscape. Along “Art in Architecture,” you can discover artworks that shape and enliven public spaces. The “Industrial Buildings” trail traces Uster’s industrial development through a selection of buildings. In this way, art in public spaces and architectural history stand alongside each other as distinct themes.

On the former Zellweger Uster AG industrial site, Zellweger Park brings contemporary art together with modern architecture. Works there include Sol LeWitt’s “Cube,” works by Fischli-Weiss and Tadashi Kawamata’s wooden bridge “Drift Structure.” The Bechtler Foundation is also dedicated to contemporary art and houses Walter de Maria’s “The 2000 Sculpture.” If seeing this work is important to your visit, check the current exhibition in advance.

Uster’s locomotive shed is connected with the beginnings and history of railways in Switzerland. Swissjazzorama offers a different focus: the institute runs Switzerland’s only jazz archive in Uster and organises jazz concerts and exhibitions at the Musikcontainer Uster. Its collection includes audio recordings, images, books, documents, sheet music, instruments and playback equipment. The Zeughaus area brings together studios, rehearsal rooms, food and drink venues, a jazz museum, art exhibitions and food festivals; since 2016, it has also been home to the H2U Openair Uster music festival.

Historical connections extend beyond architecture and industry. The Ustertag memorial stone commemorates the assembly of 22 November 1830, when several thousand men from the Zurich countryside called for a new constitution with the “Memorial of Uster.” The Swiss Non-Commissioned Officers’ Museum honours the contributions of non-commissioned officers in the Swiss militia army. Exhibits include uniforms, equipment, vehicles, artillery pieces and harnesses relating to 19th- and 20th-century military history. If you are planning a museum visit, it is a good idea to check the latest visitor information.

Lake Greifensee, Nature Reserve and Trails

Lake Greifensee is protected; the Greifensee nature reserve is the largest nature reserve in the Canton of Zurich. In most areas, you are only permitted to walk on the hiking trails. The reed beds provide a habitat for around 400 plant species and more than 160 bird species. For those wishing to focus on wildlife observation, there is an observation tower with a spacious platform in Riedikon.

From the Niederuster boat landing, lakeside paths lead towards Greifensee or Riedikon. Along the way, you will pass numerous small, natural and freely accessible coves. The trails around Lake Greifensee are suitable for hiking, jogging, cycling, wheelchair hiking and inline skating. One specific route is the Niederuster–Greifensee town wheelchair hiking trail: it follows the lake, passes through woods and crosses Uster, and can also be walked on foot.

Other routes also offer a striking change of scenery: on the hike from Uster to Maur, woodland gives way to open fields. Uster’s landscape also includes the largely untouched natural shores of Lake Greifensee, the plain from Riedikon to Niederuster and a hilly landscape with drumlins. The ridge at Freudwil-Wermatswil separates the Glatt Valley from the Pfäffikersee basin.

City Life and Visitor Planning

For a quieter green retreat, the city park is located in the centre of Uster; it features a pond and many trees. The weekly market offers fresh produce such as vegetables, cheese, bread and pasta. Regional producers in particular also bring fish and cheese to the city. Since market arrangements may change, check the latest information if the market is an essential part of your plans.

A scheduled boat operates year-round on Lake Greifensee between Maur and Uster. If you plan to take the boat, check the timetable before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mönchaltorf, Dübendorf, Maur, Schwerzenbach, Greifensee, Egg, Volketswil, Fällanden

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