Dorf: Church and Radio History in the Zurich Wine Country

Dorf is located in the Wine Country region of the Canton of Zurich. If you are looking for a hotel here, you can tailor your stay to different interests: church history, radio and listening to music, castle history or golf. The time spans range from the foundations of Romanesque chapels to music systems from the 1990s. There is also a barbecue area on Schwerzenberg and rail connections via Henggart and Andelfingen.

Church, Radio Museum and Historical Sources

Dorf Church brings together archaeological and artistic aspects. During excavations in 1966, the foundations of a Romanesque chapel were examined; they are partly exposed and supplemented. The church was renovated in 1967 and decorated with stained-glass windows by Winterthur artist Heinrich Bruppacher. The two years mark different stages: the examination of older building remains and the later renovation with its stained-glass windows.

The Dorf Radio Museum presents 100 years of radio history, from the simplest radio receiver to a designer music system from the 1990s. Changing annual exhibitions explore various topics related to radio and listening to music. The museum therefore provides a distinct focus alongside the architectural history of the church: here, the emphasis is on the development of radio and the culture of listening.

The church accounts of Dorf from 1751 to 1794 offer another historical perspective. They include, among other things, income and expenses for building maintenance, Communion and support for those in need. The records thus touch on both the upkeep of the church building and religious and social responsibilities.

Schloss Goldenberg and Golf

The base of the tower at Schloss Goldenberg dates from the 13th century. On 15 September 1559, the castle was almost completely destroyed by fire; apparently, only the lower part of the tower survived. Please note the access arrangements when visiting: Schloss Goldenberg can only be viewed from the outside, while some rooms are occasionally accessible to winery customers. As these arrangements may change, check which access options are available before your visit.

Schloss Goldenberg Golf Club welcomes guests; short-notice rounds of golf are usually possible. Availability may change, so check before making plans. The course’s history includes the handover of the 18-hole golf course designed by Kurt Rossknecht to the members in June 1997.

Schwerzenberg and Getting There

Above the vineyard slope on Schwerzenberg, there is a barbecue area with a view of Dorf. It is no more than an eight- to ten-minute walk from the edge of the village.

The rail lines to Winterthur (Zurich) and Schaffhausen can be reached from Dorf by postbus in seven minutes; the services go to the railway stations at Henggart and Andelfingen. As timetables may change, check the connection before travelling. When planning your stay, you can weigh up different options: historical topics, golf or the short walk to the viewpoint on Schwerzenberg.

Discover more destinations: Humlikon, Feuerthalen, Adlikon, Wiler, Dachsen, Andelfingen, Rheinau, Laufen-Uhwiesen

Go to the main travel overview: Andelfingen.