Ufenau
Encyclopedia
Ufenau is an island
located, with the neighbouring island of Lützelau
, in Lake Zürich
in Switzerland
between Freienbach
(0.9 km away) and Rapperswil
(2.5 km away).
in the Canton of Schwyz
. The island measures 112,645 m² in all, 470 m from east to west and 220 m from north to south. Ufnau – correctly spelled «Ufnau», but «Ufenau» is commonly used – and the Frauenwinkel area were placed under conservation in 1927. Swimming, camping and other leisure activities are forbidden, as it is a protected area. The island has a restaurant called «Zu den zwei Raben», built in 1870. Tourist boat trips, run by the Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft
, sail from Zürich
and Rapperswil
.
. In 1st and 2nd century, the remains of a roman temple are dated, broken during Alamanni
c occupation of the Swiss plateau
. In 5th or 6th century, a first Christian church was built on this probably pre-Roman
sacred area.
Ufenau is first mentioned in 741 as «Hupinauia», and in 744 as «Ubinauvia» – island of Huppan or Huphan. Probably between 900 and 920, the early Christian church was destroyed by the Huns. On January 23, 965, the island was given by Emperor Otto I to Einsiedeln Abbey
, that still is its owner. In 926 or some years later, St. Peter & Paul church' preceding building was given by the Hunfridings
noblewoman Reginlinda and Burchard II, Duke of Swabia
, in addition with a house for herself and her son Adalrich. Reginlinda died in 958 and is buried in Einsiedeln. In 973, later Saint Adalrich (Canonization
in 1659) died on Ufenau.
Today's St. Peter & Paul church was built in 1141/42 (first mentioned in 970) and renewed in 1958/59. For hundred of years, it was the parish church
for the people living in the surrounding villages of Lake Zürich's upper shores. St. Martin's chapel, few meters away, is dated in the 7th century. It was renewed in 1933/34 and in 1964/65. St. Martin's was built on the remains of a former Gallo-Roman temple dating back to the 2nd century. Until the early 14th century, both churches were also important cultural and intellectual centres for the communities dotted around Lake Zurich. A small wooden bridge
to Hurden is mentioned until 1430, so-called «Kilchweg in die Uffnow».
In 1522, Hans Klarer «Schnegg», a close friend of Ulrich Zwingli, served as pastor on Ufenau. One year later, Klarer convinced Zwingli, to refuge Ulrich von Hutten
on Ufenau, where he died in seclusion. In 1968, his remains were identified, and buried in 1970 under a tombstone besides St. Peter & Paul church. Hutten's two years in exile on the island are immortalized by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer
in «Huttens letzte Tage» (Hutten's last days).
Saint Adalric's Relic
, sealed in a shrine, were lost during 2nd Villmergen war
in 1712: Zurich
soldiers destroyed the altars and parts of both churches and have stolen St. Peter & Paul's two church bells. In 1736, St. Peter & Paul was rebuilt and the bells were replaced; St. Martin's chapel was renewed in 1790. In 1798, the Helvetic Republic
secularized the Abbey's property, and Ufenau was given to the Canton of Linth
. In 1805, Ufenau was given by the merchant Family Curti from Rapperswil to Einsiedeln abbey.
The first steamship stopped at the northern shore in 1857, and 15 years later a landing gate was built in the north, in 1881 the today's ship gate for touristic use in the south.
Blauburgunder (Pinot noir) were planted. Since 1993, Ufenau is a «Moorlandschaft von besonderer Schönheit und nationaler Bedeutung», i.e. a bog
environment of extraordinary beauty and national importance. On December 7, 2003, the Ufenau association was founded, one year later «Freunde der Insel Ufnau». Friends of Ufenau island is a booster club
to finance some projects for maintenance of the buildings located on the island, including both churches, and for the restaurant's renewal. It supports a long-time idea called «Insel der Stille» (island of silence), inlcluding a path way for disabled people around the island (completed in 2007), and regeneration of the island's shore areas to prevent increased erosion
.
Ufenau and its two churches are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance
.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
located, with the neighbouring island of Lützelau
Lützelau
Lützelau is an island located, with the neighbouring island of Ufenau, in Lake Zürich in Switzerland between Rapperswil and Freienbach .- Geography :...
, in Lake Zürich
Lake Zurich
Lake Zurich is a lake in Switzerland, extending southeast of the city of Zurich. It is also known as Lake Zürich and Lake of Zürich. It lies approximately at co-ordinates ....
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
between Freienbach
Freienbach
Freienbach is a municipality in Höfe District in the canton of Schwyz in Switzerland.-Geography:Freienbach has an area, , of . Of this area, 40.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while 23.8% is forested...
(0.9 km away) and Rapperswil
Rapperswil
Rapperswil-Jona is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of See-Gaster in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.Besides Rapperswil and Jona, which were separate municipalities until 2006, the municipality includes Bollingen, Busskirch, Curtiberg, Kempraten-Lenggis, Wagen, and Wurmsbach.-Today:On...
(2.5 km away).
Geography
Ufenau lies in Höfe districtHöfe (district)
Höfe District is a district of the canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The coat of arms of the Höfe is per pale: gules, two lions rampant sinister or; and or, three lions passant gules. It has a population of ....
in the Canton of Schwyz
Canton of Schwyz
Schwyz is a canton in central Switzerland between the Alps in the south, Lake Lucerne in the east and Lake Zurich in the north, centered around and named after the town of Schwyz....
. The island measures 112,645 m² in all, 470 m from east to west and 220 m from north to south. Ufnau – correctly spelled «Ufnau», but «Ufenau» is commonly used – and the Frauenwinkel area were placed under conservation in 1927. Swimming, camping and other leisure activities are forbidden, as it is a protected area. The island has a restaurant called «Zu den zwei Raben», built in 1870. Tourist boat trips, run by the Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft
Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft
The Lake Zurich Shipping Company or Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft is a public Swiss company operating passenger ships and boats on Lake Zürich....
, sail from Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
and Rapperswil
Rapperswil
Rapperswil-Jona is a municipality in the Wahlkreis of See-Gaster in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.Besides Rapperswil and Jona, which were separate municipalities until 2006, the municipality includes Bollingen, Busskirch, Curtiberg, Kempraten-Lenggis, Wagen, and Wurmsbach.-Today:On...
.
History and touristic highlights
Highlights on Ufenau include St. Peter & Paul church, St. Martin's chapel, and Ufenau's idyllic landscapeLandscape
Landscape comprises the visible features of an area of land, including the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds and the sea, living elements of land cover including indigenous vegetation, human elements including different forms of...
. In 1st and 2nd century, the remains of a roman temple are dated, broken during Alamanni
Alamanni
The Alamanni, Allemanni, or Alemanni were originally an alliance of Germanic tribes located around the upper Rhine river . One of the earliest references to them is the cognomen Alamannicus assumed by Roman Emperor Caracalla, who ruled the Roman Empire from 211 to 217 and claimed thereby to be...
c occupation of the Swiss plateau
Swiss plateau
The Swiss Plateau or Central Plateau constitutes one of the three major landscapes in Switzerland alongside the Jura mountains and the Swiss Alps. It covers about 30% of the Swiss surface...
. In 5th or 6th century, a first Christian church was built on this probably pre-Roman
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
sacred area.
Ufenau is first mentioned in 741 as «Hupinauia», and in 744 as «Ubinauvia» – island of Huppan or Huphan. Probably between 900 and 920, the early Christian church was destroyed by the Huns. On January 23, 965, the island was given by Emperor Otto I to Einsiedeln Abbey
Einsiedeln Abbey
Einsiedeln Abbey is a Benedictine monastery in the town of Einsiedeln in the Canton of Schwyz, Switzerland. The abbey is dedicated to Our Lady of the Hermits, the title being derived from the circumstances of its foundation, from which the name Einsiedeln is also said to have originated...
, that still is its owner. In 926 or some years later, St. Peter & Paul church' preceding building was given by the Hunfridings
Hunfridings
The Hunfridings or Burchardings were a family of probably Alemannic origin who rose to prominence in their homeland, eventually becoming the first ducal dynasty of Swabia. The first known member of the family was Hunfrid, Margrave of Istria and, according to some sources, last Duke of Friuli under...
noblewoman Reginlinda and Burchard II, Duke of Swabia
Burchard II, Duke of Swabia
Burchard II was the Hunfriding Duke of Swabia and Count of Raetia. He was the son of Burchard I and Liutgard of Saxony....
, in addition with a house for herself and her son Adalrich. Reginlinda died in 958 and is buried in Einsiedeln. In 973, later Saint Adalrich (Canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
in 1659) died on Ufenau.
Today's St. Peter & Paul church was built in 1141/42 (first mentioned in 970) and renewed in 1958/59. For hundred of years, it was the parish church
Parish church
A parish church , in Christianity, is the church which acts as the religious centre of a parish, the basic administrative unit of episcopal churches....
for the people living in the surrounding villages of Lake Zürich's upper shores. St. Martin's chapel, few meters away, is dated in the 7th century. It was renewed in 1933/34 and in 1964/65. St. Martin's was built on the remains of a former Gallo-Roman temple dating back to the 2nd century. Until the early 14th century, both churches were also important cultural and intellectual centres for the communities dotted around Lake Zurich. A small wooden bridge
Holzbrücke Rapperswil-Hurden
Holzbrücke Rapperswil-Hurden is a wooden pedestrian bridge between the city of Rapperswil and the village of Hurden crossing the upper Lake Zürich in Switzerland. The prehistoric timber piles discovered to the west of the Seedamm date back to 1523 BC...
to Hurden is mentioned until 1430, so-called «Kilchweg in die Uffnow».
In 1522, Hans Klarer «Schnegg», a close friend of Ulrich Zwingli, served as pastor on Ufenau. One year later, Klarer convinced Zwingli, to refuge Ulrich von Hutten
Ulrich von Hutten
Ulrich von Hutten was a German scholar, poet and reformer. He was an outspoken critic of the Roman Catholic Church and a bridge between the humanists and the Lutheran Reformation...
on Ufenau, where he died in seclusion. In 1968, his remains were identified, and buried in 1970 under a tombstone besides St. Peter & Paul church. Hutten's two years in exile on the island are immortalized by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer
Conrad Ferdinand Meyer was a Swiss poet and historical novelist, a master of realism chiefly remembered for stirring narrative ballads like "Die Füße im Feuer" .-Biography:...
in «Huttens letzte Tage» (Hutten's last days).
Saint Adalric's Relic
Relic
In religion, a relic is a part of the body of a saint or a venerated person, or else another type of ancient religious object, carefully preserved for purposes of veneration or as a tangible memorial...
, sealed in a shrine, were lost during 2nd Villmergen war
Battles of Villmergen
The Battles of Villmergen were two battles between Reformed and Catholic Swiss cantons. They occurred on January 24, 1656 and July 24, 1712 at Villmergen, Canton of Aargau, Switzerland ....
in 1712: Zurich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
soldiers destroyed the altars and parts of both churches and have stolen St. Peter & Paul's two church bells. In 1736, St. Peter & Paul was rebuilt and the bells were replaced; St. Martin's chapel was renewed in 1790. In 1798, the Helvetic Republic
Helvetic Republic
In Swiss history, the Helvetic Republic represented an early attempt to impose a central authority over Switzerland, which until then consisted mainly of self-governing cantons united by a loose military alliance, and conquered territories such as Vaud...
secularized the Abbey's property, and Ufenau was given to the Canton of Linth
Canton of Linth
Linth was a canton of the Helvetic Republic from 1798 to 1803, consisting of Glarus and its subject County of Werdenberg, the Höfe and March districts of Schwyz and the Züricher subject Lordship of Sax, along with a handful of shared territories....
. In 1805, Ufenau was given by the merchant Family Curti from Rapperswil to Einsiedeln abbey.
The first steamship stopped at the northern shore in 1857, and 15 years later a landing gate was built in the north, in 1881 the today's ship gate for touristic use in the south.
Ufenau today
In 1986, 5,800 Vitis viniferaVitis vinifera
Vitis vinifera is a species of Vitis, native to the Mediterranean region, central Europe, and southwestern Asia, from Morocco and Portugal north to southern Germany and east to northern Iran....
Blauburgunder (Pinot noir) were planted. Since 1993, Ufenau is a «Moorlandschaft von besonderer Schönheit und nationaler Bedeutung», i.e. a bog
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
environment of extraordinary beauty and national importance. On December 7, 2003, the Ufenau association was founded, one year later «Freunde der Insel Ufnau». Friends of Ufenau island is a booster club
Booster club
A booster club is an organization that is formed to support an associated club, sports team, or organization. Booster clubs are popular in American schools at the high school and university level...
to finance some projects for maintenance of the buildings located on the island, including both churches, and for the restaurant's renewal. It supports a long-time idea called «Insel der Stille» (island of silence), inlcluding a path way for disabled people around the island (completed in 2007), and regeneration of the island's shore areas to prevent increased erosion
Erosion
Erosion is when materials are removed from the surface and changed into something else. It only works by hydraulic actions and transport of solids in the natural environment, and leads to the deposition of these materials elsewhere...
.
Ufenau and its two churches are listed as Swiss heritage sites of national significance
Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance
The Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance is a register of some 8,300 items of cultural property in Switzerland...
.