Gossau and its “Wachten” (similar to small boroughs) Bertschikon, Grüt, Ottikon, Herschmettlen and Gossau-Dorf are located in the Zurich Oberland, nestled in a wonderful landscape of wooded hills and moor-covered depressions. The transport links and residential quality make the municipality an interesting location for industry, commerce and service providers. Despite the rural surroundings, the cities of Zurich, Winterthur, Rapperswil and the international airport in Kloten can be reached in 20 to 30 minutes by car.
In the slipstream of history
The earliest traces of settlers on Gossau soil date back to the Bronze Age. The immigration of the Alamanni in the early 7th and 8th centuries provides the first reliable information about a continuous settlement. In the High Middle Ages, the area belonged to various powerful people: rulership and basic rights were alternately in secular and ecclesiastical hands.
For centuries, the majority of Gossau’s population consisted of small farmers. This changed in the 18th century, when new yield-increasing cultivation methods were introduced and industrialisation began. There was almost no house in Gossau without at least one loom. But the community could not keep up with the large factories that opened their doors in the neighbouring towns of Uster and Wetzikon around 1820.
The Dürstelerhaus, first mentioned in documents in 1592, is the community’s iconic building. Its richly decorated exterior testifies to the fact that the house was once in wealthy hands. In fact, the name of the house commemorates Johannes Dürsteler, the founder of a former textile factory in neighbouring Wetzikon. The house belonged to this company for 100 years from 1870 and became the boarding house of the nearby factory. Since 1974, the Dürstelerhaus has been serving as a local museum, giving visitors a first-hand impression of how people lived in the past.
In the 20th century, Gossau transformed itself into a prosperous municipality with over 10,000 inhabitants today and a wide range of activities.
Ice Age Landmarks
Gossau lies in the middle of a unique natural landscape. It is characterised by the drumlins, a glacial remnant. Drumlins, derived from the Irish term “droimnín”, which means “small ridge” or “ridge of high ground”, are elongated hills with a drop-shaped ground plan and were formed under an actively moving glacier. The hilly terrain is also considered an insider’s tip for training rides among cyclists of all categories and skill levels.
Lively community
Markets, culture and various events ensure a lively community in Gossau. Numerous associations organise their events throughout the year. Young and old, big and small – everyone will find something suitable.
In terms of sport, people in Gossau are often in the saddle – not only on bicycles, but also on horseback. At the CS Gossau competition, more than 350 riders give their best with their horses at almost 1000 starts.
Plan your stay
Residential city on the waterfront
Uster’s history is closely linked to the element of water. Thanks to hydroelectric power, the city developed into a stronghold of the textile industry with one of the highest factory densities in Europe. Today, the Aabach connects the industrial heritage with modern urban residential areas and generous parks.
City of proximity
Uster offers everything that people and businesses need within short distances. There is lively club activity and a wide range of cultural activities. The nearby Greifensee and the surrounding forests are attractive local recreation areas. In Uster, people meet in an uncomplicated way and thus quickly find contact with each other.
City in nature
The region around Uster, the Zurich Oberland, offers many opportunities for leisure activities. All excursion destinations can be reached on foot, by bike or by public transport. The lakeshores invite you to swim, walk and linger. Attractive hiking and biking routes lead to the surrounding hills and mountains. There are wide panoramic views, with the best views of the Alps, lakes and landscapes.
Uster is also the place of origin of the apple variety of the same name. The Uster apple is the most common sweet apple in Switzerland.
Sports City
Uster has a diverse range of sports, numerous active clubs and an excellent infrastructure with various performance centres. A broad base of sportspeople and the promotion of sport for young and old are just as much at the centre as the support of competitive sport. At the Art and Sports School, young athletes are given the opportunity to combine their school and sports careers simultaneously and holistically. Numerous athletes from Uster have successfully represented the city of Uster at European and World Championships as well as at the Olympic Games in recent years. Furthermore, Uster regularly hosts top-class national and international sporting events such as the Greifenseelauf or the Uster Triathlon.
City for all
Uster sees itself as a “city for all” that prevents disadvantage and strengthens participation. This is not just about removing structural barriers. Uster should be a city where people from all walks of life have equal opportunities. The city was a pioneer in Switzerland for the construction of “wheelchair walking paths”. Today there are four obstacle-free routes on city territory.
The secret cultural pearl between Zurich and Lake Constance
In contrast to the metropolis of Zurich, Winterthur appears surprisingly relaxed, personal and almost familiar. The picturesque old town has a friendly character that reminds you of a village and invites you with its hidden alleys to immerse yourself.
Treasure trove
A true treasure trove of art and culture, Winterthur offers magnificent parks as well as a variety of museums. Thanks to 15 world-class museums, everyone from the art layman to the connoisseur will get their money’s worth in Winterthur.
A paradise for outdoor fans
Especially in summer, life in Winterthur takes place outdoors. Not only the city, but also the picturesque region is worth a visit. An excursion to the Rhine Falls, the largest waterfall in Europe, or a discovery tour to Kyburg Castle, which is the starting point of many beautiful hikes – the Winterthur region has a lot to offer for outdoor, hiking and cycling fans. The cycling routes in the Tösstal and Zürcher Weinland provide a hilly variety.
Green, greener, Winterthur
This city with its industrial past is surprisingly green. Almost half of Winterthur’s urban area is green space. Whereas in other large cities you have to virtually search for green spots, in Winterthur there are plenty of them. You hardly take a few steps through the old town before you find yourself in the next park, standing in the next meadow, under the next trees or in the next patch of forest. The color green is not only visible everywhere in Winterthur, the greenest city in Switzerland and its 120,000 residents are committed to sustainability. This can be seen in the diverse regional weekly markets, the many second-hand clothing stores, or even in traffic: year after year, Winterthur is voted the most bicycle-friendly major city in Switzerland.
2024 is also the year for cycling in Winterthur! Whether young or old, city cyclist, BMX rider or ambitious rider, beginner or professional: according to the motto “zäme ufs Velo” (together we ride), everyone can already get in the mood for the UCI Road World Championships event.
Accessibility
Discover the Rhine Falls through the attractive region, past Laufen Castle and along the idyllic banks of the Rhine, listen to the dedicated city guides or marvel at the largest water drop in the world in the Technorama: The city and region of Winterthur offer a variety of fully accessible activities with short distances.
The city and region of Zurich combine world-class nature, culture and cuisine in a very small area
It is worth planning a few extra days for Zurich, as Switzerland’s largest city has much to offer. Situated on the picturesque Lake Zurich and washed by the two rivers Sihl and Limmat, Zurich has a magnificent old town that impresses with its historic guild houses and invites you to stroll through its winding alleys and hidden oases. Art and culture are very important in Zurich: No other city in Switzerland can boast such a high density of museums and galleries as the capital of design and architecture.
Active recreation
Those who stay longer explore the varied region around Lake Zurich in an active way. Whether on foot, on two or more wheels or in the water: every sport is possible. Cycling enthusiasts in particular get their money’s worth in Zurich: exciting downhill trails await on the Uetliberg, the beautiful Route 66 leads from Zurich to the City of Roses Rapperswil with lovely views, and in the nearby mountains there are varied bike routes over hills and through forests.
And: Zurich is not always expensive. With these simple tricks and tips, guests can experience a lot of Zurich for little money.
E-Bike City Tours
The guided bike tours show guests from all over the world unexpected corners of the city. With the e-bikes provided by Casino Zürich, longer distances can be covered in no time at all and even more distant highlights and quarters of the city can be reached without any effort. Zürich Tourism offers e-bike tours around the lake basin and to public works of art.
The largest art museum in Switzerland
With the opening of the Chipperfield Building in 2021, the Kunsthaus Zürich is now the largest art museum in Switzerland. High-calibre contemporary artists and works will impress not only those with an affinity for art, but also the inexperienced and those new to art on around 11,500 square metres. But there is never a dull moment culturally in Zurich either: around 50 museums delight with art, history, design, architecture, botany, medicine and much more.
Food city Zurich
Zurich cuisine knows no boundaries when it comes to food: in addition to regional specialities such as “Zürcher Geschnätzeltes” and “Rösti”, international trends, novelties and rarities can be found here. Zurich’s well-travelled chefs passionately combine their inspirations from faraway countries with local products. This is what distinguishes the excellent quality and joy of experimentation in the food metropolis of Zurich.
Unique favourite pieces
Zurich offers a wide range of shops with fairly and environmentally friendly produced, long-lasting favourite pieces. If you love vintage furniture, second-hand fashion and unique pieces of jewellery, you should definitely wander through Zurich’s second-hand shops and boutiques. Buying second-hand or upcycled rarities also protects the climate and your wallet. That makes everyone happy.
For families
The fact that Zurich and the surrounding region is a true paradise for families with children is quickly apparent on the kinderregion.ch platform. Here you will find tips on restaurants, accommodation, leisure activities and events for children of all ages and their accompanying adults.
Accessibility
The Zürich City Guide App shows which hotels, restaurants, shops and museums in Zürich offer step-free entrances and entrances, as well as the App Ginto, on which possible obstacles as well as barrier-free places are well documented.
