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On the Bridge
What could be more Swiss? The weekend walkers are out, enjoying a beautiful sunny day and utilising an engineering marvel in a glorious setting. The walkway between Rapperswil and Hurden is the longest wooden bridge in Switzerland (841 m / 2759 ft). The current structure was opened in April 2001; built of untreated oak, experts give it a lifespan of 50 to 70 years.
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, my husband I were staying with friends in that enchanted, fairy-tale-land of mountains, lakes, and alpine meadows known today as Switzerland …
It really does feel that long ago! That is what happens when you have too many external drives full of photos and memories. They slip to the bottom of the pile and risk being overlooked.
And, it really was that magical. Every day that we were there, we wandered through picturesque landscapes, rimmed by magnificent mountains, full of green spaces, flowers, and fragrant coffee. On one ‘ordinary’ day, we took a little walk from our friends’ home, and across Lake Zurich.
Yes, across the lake!
We were walking a path taken by Neolithic communities, by Roman rulers, and by medieval warriors. We were in the footsteps of pilgrims on of The Way of St. James to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, and of tourists, hikers, and nature-lovers alike.
On a map, Lake Zürich and Lake Obersee look like one body of water. But, there is a narrow passage between the towns of Rapperswil-Jona and the village of Hurden. At this point, three Swiss Cantons (Zurich, Schwyz, and St. Gallen) meet, and the body of water changes name.
At times, residents of towns on either side of this narrowing have relied on ferry boats to cross. But, prehistoric timber pilings recovered in this area date back to 1523 BCE, and suggest that a bridge was in place for the Neolithic and Bronze Age occupants of the now-UNESCO World Heritage-listed stilt-house settlement nearby.
Much later, in the 2nd century CE, the Romans built a 6 metres (20 ft) wide wooden footbridge here. But, that seems to have been followed by a long gap. Then, between 1358 and 1360, the House of Habsburg-Austria opened the next generation of bridges. Used by pedestrians, cart traffic, and livestock, this elevated walkway was 1450 m long and rested on 546 oak posts. The bridge was partially destroyed by wars and the forces of nature several times. Renovated repeatedly – the last time in 1847 – it remained in use until 1878.
The current wooden footbridge was opened in April 2001. It lies just south of the Seedamm, the stone causeway and bridge built in 1878 to accommodates vehicle traffic and a rail line. The footbridge is particularly popular with birders and other nature-lovers for the opportunity to visit waterfowl breeding areas. It also provides the only means of access to the historic medieval Heilig Hüsli Chapel.
We had passed the start of the bridge – and under the Seedamm – a week prior in order to access a boat across Lake Zurich (see: Swiss Apples And National Day). What really captured my attention as we meandered across the boardwalk was the geometric lines and angles of the bridge itself, and the altered view of the lake that the walk gave us.
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Swans on the Lakeshore
From the shore of Obersee (“Upper Lake”), we can see the 1.5 metre-high (4 ft 11 in) bridge on some of its 233 wooden posts.
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On the Bridge at Rapperswil
The bridge stretched away and angles left to meet the Heilig Hüsli Chapel, and to skirt a small island that is a nature reserve and important waterfowl breeding habitat. You can see a train on the nearby Seedamm.
Diorama in the Bridge
Nestled into the base of the bridge is a little tribute to those medieval predecessors who once walked here.
Green
Much of this side of the lake is declared protected wetlands – no boating or swimming is allowed.
Leading Lines
Ripples in the Grasses
The bridge acts like a hide, and gives us access that we would not otherwise have to the wetlands.
Eurasian Coot – Fulica Atra
These are the same birds we get on our estuary at home.
Knotty Wood
Almost Abstract : Fish Swimming
I love Nature’s artworks! You get such a different perspective walking close above the water, instead of along the shore.
Other End of the Bridge
The canton of Schwyz comes into view as we work our way across the lake.
Boat on the Lake
We might be in what the Swiss call the “Low Country”, but beautiful mountains rise up all around.
Pillars in the Water
Perennial Cornflower – Centaurea Montana
Back on the shore, we are surrounded by summer wildflowers.
Wild Rosehip – Rosa Canina L.
Rich in antioxidants and minerals, rosehip has been used since prehistoric times. Findings in the pile-dwelling settlements near here – built between 5000 and 500 BCE – suggest it was often made into jam.
Purple Loosestrife – Lythrum Salicaria
Grasses on the Waterfront
The Frauenwinkel nature reserve is a reed and marsh belt on the western shore of the Obersee.
Rooftop
I love these traditional buildings, with their half-timbered decorations, shingled roofs, and domed towers.
Passing Train
This part of the path runs parallel to the Seedamm; even though we can see the traffic there, we feel miles away.
Tiny Spider
European White Water Lily – Nymphaea Alba
Walkway
The path to the towns of Hurden and Pfäffikon is smooth and easy to walk.
Common Honeysuckle – Lonicera Periclymenum
We could be miles from anywhere, …
Cosmos on the Fence
… but the railway line is right there, behind a light fence.
Walkway Geometry
Our walk takes us across the Hurden ship canal.
Young Man on A Swing
The water of the canal sparkles as a young man takes advantage of a swing here, …
Into the Water
… and launches himself into the green.
Grasses
Bridge from the Train
Rather than walk back, we take the train from Pfäffikon back to Rapperswil. On the Seedamm we can look back at the bridge we’ve just crossed.
It was a beautiful walk –
– almost as enjoyable as the cake and coffee we treated ourselves to afterwards!
Until next time,
Happy Walking!
Pictures: 09August2014
