Lindenhof Hill
- Visit: 1–2 hours
Erwachsene CHF 5 · Kinder (6–16), Studierende CHF 2
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Why go
- Hilltop views across Zurich’s historic old town
- Prehistoric, Roman and medieval remains at a Swiss heritage site of national significance
Plan your visit
Prices
From the venue's website · checked 12 Oct 2026
Don't miss
- Hedwig FountainSculpted by Gustav Siber in 1688, the fountain depicts a legend of the 1292 siege.On Lindenhof Hill
- Turicum tombstone copyA copy of the 2nd-century tombstone bearing Zurich’s Roman name, Turicum, is set into the Lindenhof wall.Pfalzgasse, in the Lindenhof wall
Interesting facts3
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25 metres
Lindenhof is a moraine hill formed from remains left by the Linth Glacier, rising about 25 metres above the Limmat.
Lindenhof hill - Wikipedia -
Water largely surrounded the hill, making it well suited to early fortified settlements.
Lindenhof hill - Wikipedia -
Historical visitors included Goethe, Casanova, Franz Liszt, Richard Wagner and Johannes Brahms.
Lindenhof hill - Wikipedia
Shorts
History
Guild members gathered at stone tables for Sechseläuten dinners. Chess has long been played on the hill and remains a popular tradition.
- Neolithic and Bronze AgeLakeside settlements existed near Lindenhof.
- 1st century BCA Celtic fortified settlement occupied Lindenhof.
- Around 15 BCRoman troops occupied the hill; stone buildings from this period are known there.
- Roman periodA bridge near present-day Rathausbrücke connected the Roman settlement across the Limmat.
- 364–375Roman forces built a citadel on the hill with ten towers and walls two metres thick.
Show all
- Carolingian and Ottonian periodsA royal palace was built on the remains of the Roman castle.
- 1055The Kaiserpfalz hosted the Christmas engagement of Henry IV and Bertha von Turin.
- 1172The palace was last mentioned.
- 1218The Kaiserpfalz was demolished; its stone was reused in city walls and private houses.
- After 1218After the royal residence was demolished, the hilltop became a public park, with stone tables, crossbow stands and bowling supporting recreation.
- Probably 14th centuryThe former imperial residence site became a festival ground.
- 1384A chapel on the hill was first mentioned, though its location is unknown.
- 1780The grounds were redesigned in a geometric layout under Baroque influence.
- 1861The grounds were reshaped as a park.
- 1865Storm damage prompted a redesign with chestnut and acacia trees.
- Around 1900The square took on its present appearance around 1900 after residents rejected an earlier redesign; lime trees returned after 1900.
- 1937Archaeologists uncovered east–west-oriented late medieval graves of children and adults.
Tips for your visit
- Viewing the Roman fort-wall remains in the Lindenhofkeller requires a request.
How to get there
- On footReach Lindenhof on foot through the narrow lanes of Zurich’s medieval centre. Cars are not allowed in the streets leading to the hill.
Sources: Lindenhof hill - Wikipedia · Lindenhof (Zürcher Hügelzug) - Wikipedia · Lindenhof - Wikipedia · checked 25 Sep 2026
- Phone
- +41442154000
Questions and answers
Was there a chapel on Lindenhof?
A chapel was first mentioned in 1384, but its location is unknown.
How high is Lindenhof Hill?
The hilltop stands at 428 metres above sea level.
What landmarks mark Lindenhof Hill’s northern and southern limits?
Uraniastrasse and Waisenhaus lie to the north; the hill extends south towards St. Peter church.
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