Au, Zürich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Au (Teil von Wädenswil)
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Au as seen from as seen from Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (ZSG) ship MS Helvetia on Zürichsee
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 Au (Teil von Wädenswil)
Location in Switzerland
Au (Teil von Wädenswil)
Location in Canton of Zürich
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| Country | Switzerland |
| Canton | Zürich |
| District | Horgen |
| Municipality | Wädenswil |
| Elevation | 408 m (1,339 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 4,979 |
| Postal code |
8804
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| Surrounded by | Hirzel, Horgen, Wädenswil |
Au is a charming village located in Switzerland. It's part of the larger Wädenswil area, which is in the Horgen district of the canton of Zürich.
People first mentioned Au way back in the year 1130, calling it "Naglikon." Later, in 1316, it was known as "Owe." Today, Au is considered part of the urban area of Wädenswil, a city found on the south-eastern side of Lake Zürich.
Getting Around Au
Getting to and from Au is easy! The Au ZH railway station is a convenient stop on the S-Bahn Zürich train line, specifically the S8. This train system helps people travel around the Zürich area.
The beautiful Au peninsula is a popular spot for tourists. You can even reach it by boat, as the Zürichsee-Schifffahrtsgesellschaft (a boat company on Lake Zürich) has a stop there.
History and Special Places
Au is home to some really old and important historical sites. One of these is Wädenswil–Vorder Au, located right on the shore of Lake Zürich. This site is part of a much larger group of 56 places in Switzerland that are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These sites are called Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps.
Imagine people living here thousands of years ago! They built their homes on wooden poles, or "piles," in or near the water. Because the lake has gotten bigger over time, these original piles are now about 4 to 7 meters (13 to 23 feet) under the water.
Another important place in Au is the Au château. A château is like a large, fancy country house or castle. This château, along with its other buildings and the park around it, is listed as a Class B object. This means it's considered a very important cultural site for the region.
Images for kids
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The village of Au and Au peninsula as seen from Felsenegg
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Schloss Au, the former Werdmüller estate on the peninsula
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Aerial view of Au from 250 meters, taken by Walter Mittelholzer in 1919.
