A lot of people come to the picturesque town of Rapperswil as it has so much to offer. From the majestic Swiss Alps in the background, the stunning Lake Zurich at its front, and the historic old town with a towering medieval castle to top it all off. But there is more to the City of Roses than meets the eye.
Hidden below Rapperswil Castle is world-class Rapperswil Rose Gardens. A must-visit destination for nature lovers, rose enthusiasts, and tourists alike. It boasts over 20,000 roses of a variety of different species, and they bloom all summer long. Below, is everything you need to know about these rose gardens, their history, location, and more.
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Visiting the Rapperswil Rose Gardens
The Rapperswil Rose Gardens are open to the public from April to October, with peak blooming season usually occurring between June and July. Admission is free, and visitors can explore the gardens at their own pace.
There are a number of parts to the garden including those at the Einsiedlerhaus and below the Lindenhof. There are often some at the harbor as well, although the main ones are those mentioned above.
There is also a specific Duftrosengarten, which was created for the visually impaired. It usually has over 1000 roses with 75 or more different varieties. And the signs are in both Braille and text.
Getting To The Rapperswil Rose Gardens
To reach the Rapperswil Rose Gardens, you can take a train from Zurich to Rapperswil, which takes approximately 40 minutes. Or you can make a complete day of it by taking a more scenic boat ride on lake Zurich.
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Once you get to the Rapperswil train station, the gardens are just a short walk away. It takes only around 5 minutes to walk. You can see one of the many paths on the map below.
History of the Rapperswil Rose Gardens
The Rapperswil Rose Gardens date back as far as the 1820s. At least as far as documented records go, they were mentioned in the context of people’s private gardens. In their modern form, however, they actually date back to 1913, when the local “Stadtverschönerungsverein” (Tourism & Beautification Group) planted some roses opposite the train station.
The gardens at today’s location date back to 1959 when a woman by the name of Dietrich Wössener, single-handedly selected the rose varieties, and together with the women of Rapperswil, planted them in the town.
Things continued to expand in 1965 when the cornerstone of the current gardens at Lindenhof Hill was laid and 500m2 of land near the Kloster was donated to the cause. The gardens have been further expanded over the years with, for example, further areas given to it in 1974 (The Einsiedlerhaus rose garden).
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the roses in Rapperswil bloom?
The roses in Rapperswil bloom between May and October with peak season being June and July.
What is Rapperswil known for?
Rapperswil is known as the “City of Roses” because of its large Rose Garden and other small rose gardens that are scattered throughout the city.
