Rapperswil, also known as the Rose Town because of its famous rose gardens, is located at the eastern end of Lake Zurich in Switzerland. The city’s picturesque medieval centre has largely survived centuries of development, despite being an important traffic hub. The cultural assets handed down over the centuries have been carefully conserved by farsighted city planners, whose efforts were rewarded with a preservation award from the Council of Europe. The small town has a population of about 7300 and adjoining Jona around a further 17100. Rapperswil is a popular day-excursion destination on sunny summer days, offering leisurely strolls through traffic-free areas and a range of restaurants serving everything from simple snacks to fine fare. The most popular haunts are the restaurant terraces overlooking the harbour.
In 2001, using modern timber techniques, a wooden bridge of 840 metres length was constructed alongside the road and railway dam crossing the lake from Rapperwil to Hurden. Ideal for an easy walk and some wildlife watching, this is part of the Route of St. James, the pilgrims’ path which leads through Switzerland en route to Santiago de Compostella in northern Spain.