Buchs between Roman history and wetland landscape

Buchs lies in the Furttal at the foot of the Lägern range and close to the city of Zurich. Depending on your interests, historical sites, the landscape or practical details for your visit may take centre stage.

Roman remains and early local history

The Roman estate in Buchs preserves a cryptoporticus with extensive surviving wall paintings. The remains of the cryptoporticus are open to visitors free of charge; visits to the small exhibition inside can be arranged by appointment. Roman estates were built in Buchs and Dällikon along the Roman road through the Furttal. The history of these sites therefore extends beyond a single location to encompass the valley.

The village name also has a long history: Buchs is documented as Puhsah from the 9th century. Around 870, Puhsah was given to the Abbey of St. Gall. Roman architecture and the early medieval record of the name thus belong to different chapters in the village’s history.

Church and mine

The present-day church was built in 1631; its surviving old tower dates from the 14th century. Inside is a small Late Gothic chancel with a pointed-arch rib vault. A rib vault is formed by intersecting vault sections; here, the arches are pointed. Alongside its history, the tower therefore offers a specific architectural detail.

The Chrästel quartz sand mine lies on the eastern edge of Buchs, behind the old Krähstel farm, at an altitude of about 500 m above sea level. It is still accessible; check the visiting arrangements before you set out. Miners carved life-size sculptures out of sandstone in the mine. The site thus connects the history of mining with an artistic legacy created by the miners.

The Buchs wetland and the history of the landscape

The Buchs wetland between Regensdorf and Würenlos is a landscape rich in flowers, insects and birds, especially waterbirds and marsh birds. Two moraines formed by glacial deposits from the last Ice Age once caused the wetland to become marshy. Together with the mountain ranges of Altberg/Gubrist and Lägern/Schwenkelberg/Ibig, the moraines shaped the Furttal into a hollow. The landscape can therefore be understood both through its flora and fauna and through its formation during the Ice Age.

Village festival and leisure activities

The Buchs village festival offers three days of celebrations in the heart of the village. Buchs clubs and associations provide food, drinks and entertainment at the festival. A dedicated volunteer organising committee puts it on every year.

The beach volleyball courts can be used by members of the public when the sports ground is open; check opening times in advance. The indoor swimming pool is closed to the public during school holidays and between the spring and autumn holidays. If swimming is important to your travel plans, take these closure periods into account and check the current operating status with the municipality.

Discover more destinations: Dällikon, Regensberg, Otelfingen, Oberglatt, Rümlang, Dielsdorf, Schleinikon, Niederweningen

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