The steam ship Stadt Zürich is the oldest ship of the shipping company ZSG.
It entered service in 1909.
The photo shows it while approaching Thalwil. [Jul 2015].
The Stadt Zürich is one of two steam ships operating on Lake Zurich.
Here it is leaving Männedorf.
Stadt Zürich Particulars: Passengers: 750 pax. Length: 59.1m
Width: 13.10m Shipyard: Escher Wyss. [Jul 2015].
The Stadt Zürich at the landing bridge of the Au Peninsula.
This is a recreation park on Lake Zurich, where there are old trees and old houses.
The drive towards the modern and contemporary is not visible here.
[May 2025].
On most shores of Lake Zurich the effects of modernity are only too visible,
for example in the very modernist, cube houses of Bach in the Canton Schwyz.
It is also quite clear how densely the shores of Lake Zurich are now settled.
The Stadt Zürich is near Bach on its voyage from Rapperswil to Zurich.
[May 2025].
The steam ship Stadt Zürich travels across Lake Zurich on a fine spring day.
The ships are part of the Zurich Transport Association. As a result the tickets are quite affordable and there are many passengers. [May 2025].
The oldest motor ship of the shipping company ZSG is the Linth.
In 1952 it entered service as the first triple deck ship on the lake.
The Linth is seen near Freienbach. [Jul 2015].
Linth Particulars: Passengers: 1000 pax. Length: 54.0m
Width: 11.60m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn. [Jul 2015].
The motor ship Linth departs from Rapperswil. [Sep 2014].
The Linth travels across Lake Zurich.
[May 2025].
On a nice spring day the motor vessel Linth travels across the lake between the au Peninsula and Männedorf on a voyage to Rapperswil.
[May 2025].
On the return journey to Zurich the Linth again is seen near Männedorf.
The reformed church of Männedorf is seen on the left side of this photo; to the right is the Roman-Catholic church.
[May 2025].
When travelling by ship on the lake one can also see the retreat house Männedorf,
which sits on a low hill near the church, just separated by a stream.
Once it was known as the Prayer and Healing Institute Männedorf, led by Samuel Zeller for many years from the late 19th century, a prominent member of my wider family.
After that the institute was led by his nephew Alfred Zeller until 1948.
We still have furniture from Männedorf.
[Jul 2015].
The chapel of the institute was opened in 1897.
From 1925 onwards it used the name Institute Elim, even though it was commonly known as the Zeller Institute.
In 1951 it was renamed to Bible and Recreation Home Männedorf, in 2001 to Bible Home Männedorf, and 2022 finally to Acasa Männedorf.
By now rest homes are an essential part of the operation.
[Jul 2015].
The otter is in the coat of arms of Männedorf, shown here on the gate to the landing bridge.
[Jul 2015].
The motor ship Glärnisch entered service in 1955.
It was taken out of service in 2006 and since then is in the port of Wädenswil.
It was supposed to serve as a restaurant, but somehow the concept was not successful.
Glärnisch particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Length: 38.0m
Width: 7.50m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
[May 2025].
The motor ship Säntis was built in 1957.
Here it is seen near Thalwil. [Jul 2015].
Säntis particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Length: 42.5m
Width: 7.50m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn. [Jul 2015].
The motor ship Säntis is used for the little lake round trip.
This goes from Zurich up the lake to Thalwil.
[May 2025].
The Säntis in front of the shore promenade of central Zurich.
The ship is about to arrive at the Bürkliplatz.
[May 2025].
The motor ship Limmat entered service in 1958.
It has left Zurich and is starting its voyage across the lake. [Jul 2015].
Limmat particulars: Passengers: 700 pax. Length: 51.0m
Width: 10.90m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
The ship is seen near the Au Peninsula. [Jul 2015].
The River Linth flows into Lake Zurich; the River Limmat flows out of Lake Zurich into the River Aare.
Here the motor ship Limmat is on Lake Zurich near the Au Peninsula.
[May 2025].
The Limmat is on a service from Rappersil to Zurich.
Passengers on these long services mainly use the ships for recreation rather than any other travel needs.
[May 2025].
Das motor ship Bachtel was built in 1962. It is seen near Zurich.
[Aug 2015].
Bachtel particulars: Passengers: 250 pax. Length: 33.3m
Width: 6.30m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
The motor ship Bachtel near Wädenswil.
[May 2025].
The motor ship Helvetia was built in 1964.
She is the flag ship of the Zürichsee Schifffahrts&Gastro AG.
[May 2025].
Helvetia Particulars: Passengers: 1000 pax. Length: 56.0m
Width: 12.30m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
The motor ship Helvetia near the Au Peninsula.
[May 2025].
From 1997 to 1999 the three sister ships Albis, Pfannenstiel und Uetliberg
were put into service. The Uetliberg is seen near Zurich.
Uetliberg particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Length: 42.3m
Width: 7.30m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
[Jul 2015].
The motor ship Pfannenstiel at Thalwil.
[Jul 2015].
The Reformed Church of Thalwil sits above the town and looks down on the lake.
The church was built 1846-1847 and after a fire on 1943 was rebuilt 1943-1946 with a new tower.
The Pfannenstiel is leaving Thalwil.
[May 2025].
The Pfannestiel is a ridge to the east of Lake Zurich.
The motor ship Pfannenstiel is named after this prominent ridge.
[May 2025].
The two sister ships Forch and Zimmerberg were introduced in 2001.
They are mainly used as ferries on the routes Küsnacht - Erlenbach - Thalwil and Männedorf - Stäfa - Wädenswil.
The Zimmerberg approaches Männedorf.
[Jul 2015].
Zimmerberg particulars: Passengers: 150 pax. Length: 31.2m
Width: 5.80m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
The Zimmerberg has departed Stäfa and returns towards Wädenswil.
[Jul 2015].
The Zimmerberg is a row of hills to the west of Lake Zurich.
The ship Zimmerberg is named after it.
Here it travels across the lake near Stäfa.
[May 2025].
The newest ship on Lake Zurich is the Panta Rhei, built in 2007.
Its name is a Greek expression meaning everything flows.
The photo shows the ship near Stäfa.
[Jul 2015].
Panta Rhei particulars: Passengers: 700 pax. Length: 56.6m
Width: 10.70m Shipyard: ÖSWAG.
The Panta Rhei is seen near Küsnacht on the Gold Coast.
[Jul 2015].
The Panta Rhei was badly designed, so that it was taken out of service again after its maiden voyage.
The accommodation on deck is too large and heavy for the hull.
Through additions to the hull, the design could be corrected, so that the ship is now useable.
The enlarged bulbous bow is quite obvious on this photo.
[Jul 2015].
The large glass panels of the Panta Rhei have also been damaged during heavy wind gusts.
But on this photo the ship travels across the lake near Meilen on a fine day.
[Jul 2015].
The interior design of the Panta Rhei is characteristically modern.
[Jul 2015].
Millions had to be spent to make the Panta Rhei seaworthy.
Here she is in Rapperswil. Her characteristic design and chequered history nearly make her a symbol of modernity.
[Jul 2015].
The Panta Rhei arrives at the Au Peninsula.
[May 2025].
The motor ship Wadin entered service in 1966 as brewery vessel to carry beer from Wädenswil to pubs around Lake Zurich.
From 1973 it was used more for events and since 1992 is the party ship on Lake Zurich.
It is operated by the company Eventschiff Zürichsee.
Wadin Particulars: Passengers: 100 pax. Length: 31.5m Width: 5.40m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Steckborn. [May 2025].
Vehicle ferries operate between Horgen and Meilen on Lake Zurich.
They are operated by an independent company.
During peak hours there is a ferry departure every 7.5 minutes.
The ferry Horgen is seen in Horgen.
It entered service in 1991.
Horgen particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Cars: 40
Length: 49.5m
Width: 13.00m Draft: 1.90m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
[Jul 2015].
The ferries also accommodate foot passengers. The ferry Zürisee near Horgen.
It entered service in 1999.
Photo by Eva-Maria Frank.
[Jul 2009].
Zürisee particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Cars: 44
Length: 55.0m
Width: 13.00m Draft: 1.85m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
[Jul 2015].
The ferry Burg near Meilen. It entered service in 2003.
Burg particulars: Passengers: 300 pax. Cars: 44
Length: 55.0m
Width: 13.00m Draft: 1.85m Shipyard: Bodanwerft Kressbronn.
[Jul 2015].
The ferry Burg travels across the lake near Horgen.
The ferry connection is an important part of the transport system.
[May 2025].
On a nice day the Burg travels across Lake Zurich.
[May 2025].
The shipping company ZSG also operates river boats on the river Limmat in Zurich.
They travel below the bridges and connect parts of the central city.
The river boat Regula approaches the stop Landesmuseum.
[Aug 2015].
The river boat Turicum travels along the river Limmat through Zurich.
[Aug 2015].