Lindenhof

The Lindenhof in the old town of Zürich is the historical site of the Roman castle, and the later Carolingian Kaiserpfalz. It is situated on the Lindenhof hill, on the left side of the Limmat at the Schipfe.

The linden trees of the Lindenhof as seen across the river Limmat.

Lindenhof fortification and Schipfe

Panoramic view from the Lindenhof hill

The 1798 oath on the constitution of the Helvetic Republic

Hedwig Fountain with a statue commemorating the 1291 defense of the town by the women of Zürich against Albert I of Germany.

Roman tombstone

In 1747, a 2nd-century Roman tombstone was discovered at the site, bearing the oldest attestation of Turīcum, the Roman era name of Zürich, as STA[tio] TURIC[ensis], at the time a tax collecting point. The castle remained intact during the early phase of Alemannic immigration in the 5th to 6th century, but was derelict by the 9th century, when it was rebuilt as a residence for Louis the German, which in turn became dilapidated and used as a source of building stone by the 13th century.

The Lindenhof remained a place of civil assembly into modern times. In 1798, the citizens of Zürich swore the oath to the constitution of the Helvetic Republic on the Lindenhof.

In 1851 the Masonic Lodge 'Modestia cum Libertate' (1771) bought the residence 'Zum Paradies" and built a masonic building on the southern end of the square.

In the early 21st century, it serves as a recreational space, a green oasis, and automobile free space in the old historic city center. Its elevated position makes it a favorite point for tourists to get an overview of the geography of old Zürich. During the local holiday of Sechseläuten in April, the Lindenhof serves as the base of operations for whichever canton is the 'guest-Canton' for that year.