Discover Zweidlen: Power Station, Poet’s Trail and Rhine Fortifications

Zweidlen combines industrial heritage with literary and historical connections. The Eglisau power station was built here, and the Gottfried Keller Poet’s Trail leads as far as Zweidlen S-Bahn station. The picture is rounded out by technical exhibitions, traces of the Rhine fortifications and a designated bat roost. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can treat these topics as different focal points when planning your trip.

Power station and the history of electricity

The Eglisau power station in Zweidlen was built between 1915 and 1921 and is a listed monument as an example of the industrial architecture of the time. Kraftwerk Eglisau-Glattfelden AG is based in Zweidlen ZH. Guided tours of the Eglisau hydroelectric power station are offered by the Axpo Power Visitor Service. The minimum age is twelve; tours may be conducted in German, English, French or Italian. Check the latest information on dates and availability before making plans.

The “Burenwisen” Power House features historical and modern exhibits, as well as current information about electricity. The exhibits include electrical appliances and technical equipment from the past hundred years. Experiments in the electricity laboratory and an audiovisual presentation explain the subject in a practical and engaging way. Alongside the listed power station, the exhibition offers a look at appliances and technological developments.

Gottfried Keller and literary connections

The Gottfried Keller Poet’s Trail is an experiential hiking route with 14 poetry and text panels; the walk takes about three hours. The panels explain where Gottfried Keller found inspiration for his works and offer insight into his emotional world. The trail continues as far as Zweidlen S-Bahn station. If you plan to walk the route, check trail conditions before setting out; if you plan to continue by train, it is worth checking the latest timetable.

Glattfelden also has a biographical connection to the poet: Keller’s parents came from there, and records confirm that he visited his relatives there for extended periods at least three times. The Gottfried Keller Centre has a permanent exhibition about his life and work. Its hall also hosts events, including concerts and talks, in addition to exhibitions. The Poet’s Trail and the centre offer different focuses: the trail foregrounds poems and texts, while the centre focuses on the author’s life and work.

History on the Rhine

A major fire destroyed eleven houses and barns in the village of Zweidlen in 1748. The border fortifications also form part of the area’s historical record. The Zweidlen-Lätten defensive position comprised the fortifications along the Rhine from east of Kaiserstuhl to east of Rheinsfelden, as well as a second line of defence from Zweidlen to Laubberg-Dachsberg. The installations along the Rhine and on Laubberg included four machine-gun bunkers and 17 shelters, built before and during active service between 1939 and 1941.

The Zweidlen Hörnli infantry bunker has two storeys and lies at the edge of the Hörnlirain grove, northeast of Zweidlen. Another historical site is in Glattfelden: the Zweidlen-Schlossbuck is a Category A cultural asset and part of the Late Roman Rhine fortifications. Together, these places offer insight into different periods of regional history, from the Roman fortifications to the installations of the 20th century.

Trails, nature and local highlights

The Steinbruch Zweidlen woodland includes a cave used by various bat species as a winter roost. These include species that are on the Red List and have the highest national priority. The cave may also be used as a stopover and swarming roost. This adds a distinct natural aspect to the area’s technical and historical attractions.

For a different way to get around, there is a cycling and canoeing tour through the Zurich Lowlands. The cycling section runs from Bülach along the Glatt to the Eglisau-Glattfelden power station in Zweidlen; the tour then continues by canoe on the Rhine towards Eglisau. Unlike the roughly three-hour Poet’s Trail, this tour combines a cycling section with a canoe section.

Zweidlen Dorf also offers a specific local shopping option: a self-service farm shop sells meat and wine directly from the farm.

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