Discover Volketswil: Church Architecture, Parks and Forest

Get to know Volketswil through its different attractions: church architecture, nature and dedicated sports facilities each offer something distinct. Plan your trip around what you want to focus on, whether historical architecture, outdoor activities or a cultural event.

Church architecture with varied historical connections

The Catholic Church of Bruder Klaus is an important witness to the social and architectural history of churches in the post-war period. In the Canton of Zurich, it is considered the oldest and most original example of the Lenten offering churches. Its architecture gives religious symbolism a striking form: the church’s cross-section forms a triangle, recalling the Trinity. Its tent shape refers to Moses’ Tabernacle of Revelation in the Old Testament. Bruder Klaus is one of four Lenten offering churches preserved in the Canton of Zurich and continues to be used at its original location.

The Reformed Church of Volketswil reflects a different period. Its history goes back to a chapel built in the 14th century and dedicated to Saint Agatha. The church acquired its present appearance during renovations in 1956/57; it was also on this occasion that it received its well-known windows by Max Hunziker. Volketswil is thus home to both a significant post-war church building and a church with medieval origins—two different ways to explore the local architectural history.

Parks, sports facilities and swimming

Griespark opened in 2009 and was expanded in 2014 to include the area around the municipal building. As a central local recreation area in Volketswil, it combines natural spaces with sports facilities and playgrounds. These invite visitors to relax, stroll and get active. The park also has an inclusive street workout facility. With the exception of the pull-up bars, its equipment is accessible to and usable by wheelchair users.

The Gries Cultural and Sports Centre offers further clearly defined sports facilities: the beach volleyball court measures 24 x 35 metres and has floodlighting. The athletics facility includes a six-lane 400-metre track as well as areas for jumping and throwing events. This means you can find information here both for a game on the court and for running, jumping and throwing practice.

In Kindhausen, Waldacher swimming pool combines large pools and sunbathing lawns with a location in a woodland clearing. The swimming pool has six 50-metre lanes; there is also a 70-metre water slide and diving towers at heights of 1, 3 and 5 metres. The grounds also include a children’s playground, a beach volleyball court and three table tennis tables. The facilities range from swimming and diving to games and activities on land. From Effretikon or Schwerzenbach, take bus 720 to the “Bodenacher Kindhausen” stop to reach the pool. If planning your journey around this route, check the current timetable.

Trails and woodland around Volketswil

Opened in 2025, the Flugweg is an approximately eight-kilometre information and discovery trail. It is suitable for walking and cycling and passes numerous information and experience stops. Topics range from nature and aviation to innovation and transformation. The trail combines physical activity with a variety of themed stops, without requiring you to focus on just one subject.

The forests around Volketswil are also a valuable habitat and recreational space. People seeking local recreation from the surrounding communities and visitors from further afield use them for sport, relaxation and leisure. A specific example of nature conservation is the “Waldweiher” biotope site on Samichlausweg in Kindhausen: targeted tree felling was carried out there to create more sunlit banks and water surfaces and to promote the diversity of species and habitats.

Culture, markets and event dates

The “In der Au” community centre is both a cultural centre and a place for the community. It hosts courses, exhibitions, events and meetings; space is regularly made available for cultural activities as part of exhibitions or performances. Volketswil provides an online events calendar to help plan cultural outings.

A recurring event in Griespark is the Fabelhaftes Wichtelfest, held every two years. Its programme includes a medieval market, stilt walkers, music, magicians and a wide variety of food. If attending the festival is important to your travel plans, check the current event dates. The Swiss National Day is also traditionally celebrated on Hutzlen; programme details may vary from year to year.

For a regular market day, the Volketswiler Märt is held every Thursday at Gemeindehausplatz, Zentralstrasse 21, 8604 Volketswil. Fresh and creative products are on offer. Along with the events calendar and the cultural venues described above, the market is another option to consider when planning your time in Volketswil around specific dates and activities.

Discover more destinations: Fällanden, Egg, Mönchaltorf, Greifensee, Uster, Dübendorf, Schwerzenbach, Maur.

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