Discover Würenlos: Culture, Landscape and the Limmat

Würenlos brings together cultural history, distinctive religious buildings and a varied landscape. For planning your trip, you can focus on different themes: the history of the quarry and Emma Kunz, Kloster Fahr, the local churches or outdoor activities. The places and routes below offer specific starting points for shaping your stay around your own interests.

Between the Furttal and Limmattal

Würenlos lies north of the Limmat in the Furttal and borders the canton of Zurich. The flat valley ends here; the Gmeumeriwald rises south of the village, while the Bick hill lies to the west at the end of the Altberg. To the south, the terrain drops steeply towards the Limmat. The Furtbach flows through a deeply incised ravine and joins the river southwest of the village. The landscape thus brings together a valley floor, hills and a distinctive stream.

The Bickguet country estate stands above an extensive vineyard slope on a lateral moraine and offers panoramic views of the Limmattal. In the Middle Ages, the estate served the Wettingen monastery as a wine press and also as the residence of a retired abbot. Its location and former function tell two different aspects of its history: its connection with winegrowing and its use by the monastery.

The quarry, Emma Kunz and early history

The Würenlos quarry is significant for both economic and cultural history. Emma Kunz discovered the healing stone “Aion A” there in 1942. The Emma Kunz Centre was founded at the site in 1986 as a meeting place. The adjoining Emma Kunz Museum displays around 70 of Emma Kunz’s works in rotation. A visit therefore focuses both on the history of the discovery and on Kunz’s art.

The work done on the stone is still visible on site: the quarry’s stoneworks area bears numerous traces of processing that date back to Roman times. Muschelkalk limestone was already quarried as a building material in Roman times on Haselberg, north of the village. Archaeological finds also suggest that the Würenlos area was settled as early as the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. The traces thus range from early settlements to the later use of stone.

Churches and Kloster Fahr

The Marienkirche was built in 1936/37 to plans by Baden architect Alois Moser and is one of the first concrete churches in the canton of Aargau. Coloured glass panes by Stans painter Anton Flüeler are set into its geometric concrete tracery. Here, architecture and design are closely connected: the concrete structure forms not only the building’s shape but also the framework for the glass panels.

After the two new places of worship were consecrated, the Alte Kirche Würenlos was repurposed as a venue for cultural events. It may have been rebuilt from the ground up from 1512 onwards following its destruction in the Old Zurich War; it was consecrated in 1519. The St.-Anna-Kapelle preserves Romanesque fresco-secco paintings from the late 13th century.

Kloster Fahr is set in a peaceful location near the Limmat. The monastery church and the St.-Anna-Kapelle are open to visitors; public monastery tours also offer the chance to explore the marble altars and architectural paintings in the church. The historic inn “Zu den Zwei Raben” was built in 1679 and is the oldest Baroque building in the entire monastery complex. Before your visit, check the latest visitor information and, if you are interested in a tour, its schedule.

Another historical trace leads to the Mühlescheune, whose history can be traced back to 1422. The old mill in Würenlos stands between the church and the Furtbach. Together with the churches and Kloster Fahr, it offers another starting point for anyone interested in local architecture and history.

Outdoor swimming and routes in the open air

The “Wiemel” outdoor swimming pool has welcomed swimmers in summer since 1972. The facility includes a 50-metre swimming pool, a non-swimmer pool and a paddling pool for young children. Two beach volleyball courts and a children’s playground round out the offer. As this is a seasonal outdoor pool, check the current season dates in advance.

Two routes offer specific details to help you find your way. The “By the Water: Limmat” hiking route crosses the Furtbach by the Würenlos motorway service area. The Goldküste–Limmat route is 28 kilometres long, of which 18 kilometres are on unpaved surfaces, and the fitness requirements are easy. At the Würenlos service area, also known as “Fressbalken”, it follows a valley-crossing recreational path past the motorway and through the industrial area to Wettingen. If you are factoring the distance or route into your plans, check the latest information before setting off.

On the Limmat route, the Würenlos fishing hut has benches, a fountain and a fire pit. It adds another specific stopping point by the water to the historic sites and routes.

Discover more travel destinations: Remetschwil, Baden, Stetten, Wettingen, Busslingen, Mellingen, Gebenstorf, Ehrendingen.

Go to the main travel overview: Baden.